The authors conducted this study to determine the role of local hemodynamic forces in atherogenesis. They cultured endothelial cel's and used an in vitro dynamic flow system to reproduce arterial shear stress waveforms to examine its effects. Flow patterns in carotid artery bifurcations of several healthy patients were examined. The authors identified differential patterns of gene expression in endothelial cells induced oy atheroprone and atheroprotective shear stress waveforms. The waveforms were applied to cultured endothelial cells and patterns of endothelial cell gene expression were analyzed. Data revea3 a distinct phenotypic modulation in response to the wall shear stresses.
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