Fig. 3. Features of flow-induced shear stress experienced by endothelial cells (ECs).

a ECs experience either undisturbed or disturbed flow, which have different effects on cytoskeletal (CSK) organization and the inflammatory state of the cells. b ECs can experience steady, pulsatile, or oscillatory flow. The flow dynamics influence cytoskeletal organization and the inflammatory state of the cells. c ECs experience flow in the luminal direction (parallel to cells, on the apical side), transmural (across the endothelium, on cell–cell junctions), or interstitial (in the vessel wall or parenchymal tissue, on the basal side). The direction of the flow influences EC quiescence and/or angiogenesis.