FIGURE 6.

Scheme of WSS-induced vasoreactivity regulation. (A) WSS-induced vasorelaxant agents (VA) production by ECs. An increase in WSS induces an increase in VA production, which leads to an increase in VA concentration (VA) in the smooth muscle cells (SMC) of the vessel wall. (B) VA-induced vasorelaxation of SMCs induces an increase in vessel radius. (C) Because of the physical relationship between vessel radius and WSS, increase in radius induces a decrease in WSS. Taken together, these processes constitute a causal loop that limits WSS variations: the consequence of an initial increase in WSS is WSS decrease, and reciprocally.