
Decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability underlies a number of cardiovascular pathologies, including hypertension. The shear stress exerted by flowing blood is the main determinant of NO release. Rap1 promotes integrin- and cadherin-mediated signaling. Here, we show that Rap1 is a critical regulator of NO production and endothelial function. Rap1 deficiency in murine endothelium attenuates NO production and diminishes NO-dependent vasodilation, leading to endothelial dysfunction and hypertension, without deleterious effects on vessel integrity. Mechanistically, Rap1 is activated by shear stress, promotes the formation of the endothelial mechanosensing complex-comprised of PECAM-1, VE-cadherin and VEGFR2- and downstream signaling to NO production. Our study establishes a novel paradigm for Rap1 as a regulator of mechanotransduction.
Male, Mice, Knockout, Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III, rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins, Blood Pressure, Nitric Oxide, Mechanotransduction, Cellular, Models, Biological, Capillary Permeability, Vasodilation, Mice, Organ Specificity, Hypertension, Animals, Humans, Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular, Endothelium, Signal Transduction
Male, Mice, Knockout, Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III, rap1 GTP-Binding Proteins, Blood Pressure, Nitric Oxide, Mechanotransduction, Cellular, Models, Biological, Capillary Permeability, Vasodilation, Mice, Organ Specificity, Hypertension, Animals, Humans, Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular, Endothelium, Signal Transduction
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| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
