Figure 1.

Laminar shear stress mediated effects on hERG1a currents. A and B, representative current trace in response to a step potential to 0 mV (2 s) to activate hERG currents followed by a tail current elicited at −60 mV (3 s) from a holding potential of −80 mV. Pre-shear and shear stress response are indicated by arrows. B, scatter plot shows current enhancement during shear stress at both step and tail current (mean ± S.D.; p < 0.001, n = 20, paired t test). Scale bars, 2 nA and 500 ms. C, dose-dependent effect of fluid shear stress (flow rate in ml/min) on hERG1a tail currents. x axis denotes different flow rate, and y axis is the percentage increase during shear stress application (mean ± S.E., n = 5). D, time course of the effect of shear stress on hERG1a tail currents. Responses of hERG1a currents between pre-shear and laminar shear stress were reversible (mean ± S.E., n = 6). Individual data points at each given voltage are represented as mean ± S.E.