FIG. 1.

Link between endothelial nanomechanics and function. A mechanism is postulated in which, on a specific stimulus, ENaC molecules are inserted into the plasma membrane. Physical and/or functional interaction of the channel with components of the cortical cytoskeleton induces a shift from G- to F-actin leading to increased rigidity of the endothelial cortex. In such a situation the release of NO is decreased. eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase; NO, nitric oxide. To see this illustration in color, the reader is referred to the web version of this article at www.liebertpub.com/ars