Cardiology Science Lunch Berlina weekly exchange of insights and ideas in cardiovascular medicine

Campus Virchow Klinik

Wednesday, 08.02.2017

12:00 – 13:00h

Bibliothek at DHZBAugustenburger Platz 1, Berlin

x Bibliothek

The following CSLB is on 15.02.2017

Cardiology Science Lunch Berlinis sponsored by

www.sciencelunch.de

PD Dr. Kristina Kusche-VihrogInstitute of Physiology II, University of Muenster

Endothelial Nanomechanicsas Indicator for Vascular Function/Dysfunction

Endothelial stiffness is a mechanical property which reflects the physiological state of anendothelial cell. The degree of endothelial stiffness is important for mediating biophysical/biochemical signals from the blood to the respective tissues. Endothelial cells are constantlyexposed to the hemodynamic traction forces of the streaming blood (e.g. laminar shear stress).This ‘strategic position’ enables the endothelium to control vascular function. Blood flowmediated shear stress rhythmically acts on and deforms endothelial cells at the very surface andthus controls the release of nitric oxide (NO) and consequently vasodilation. Stiffness and NOrelease are tightly coupled in that a soft endothelial cell is easily deformable by the streamingblood and thus the endothelial cell releases increased amounts of NO in comparison to a stiff cell.A reduced bioavailability of NO in the vessel wall leads to impaired vasodilation, a hallmark ofendothelial dysfunction, also termed ‘stiff endothelial cell syndrome’ (SECS). Recently, it wasshown that chronically increased plasma Na+ concentrations (> 140 mM) stiffen endothelial cellsand induce vascular inflammation. The endothelial Na+ channel (EnNaC) was recognized asmediator of these processes.Conditions leading to cell stiffness with regard to cardiovascular pathologies will be discussed inthis Science Lunch.

The Cardiology Science Lunch Teamfrom the Department of Cardiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlinand the Department of Medicine/Cardiology, Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin

Prof. Dr. med. Frank R. Heinzel, Ph.D.Dr. med. Tobias TrippelPD. Dr. Florian Blaschke

Dr. Paulina Wakuła, Ph.D.Christina Gaulhofer, BSc. MSc.Prof. Dr. med. Philipp Stawowy

Univ. Prof. Dr. med. Burkert Pieske