FIG. 3.

Biomechanical forces regulate vessel tone. Vascular tone is regulated by the opposing effects of vasodilators and vasoconstrictors that are predominantly produced by the vascular endothelium. These bioactive factors are heavily regulated by biomechanical forces such that LSS stimulates factors that enhance vasodilation, whereas OSS and excessive circumferential CS enhance vasoconstriction. CS, cyclic stretch; LSS, laminar shear stress; OSS, oscillatory shear stress. Color images are available online.