New findings on blood flow fluctuations help in the fight against cardiovascular diseases – Intensive care

New findings on blood flow fluctuations help in the fight against cardiovascular diseases

By editors of HospiMedica International
Posted on August 23, 2024

Atherosclerosis, characterized by the narrowing of arteries due to fat and cholesterol deposits, is one of the leading causes of death in Western societies, contributing to about 50% of all deaths. This condition can lead to serious health problems such as strokes, heart attacks, and dementia. The narrowing of arteries disrupts normal blood flow, which triggers a series of cellular responses, including the activation of the body's immune cells, white blood cells. One specific response to these blood flow changes, known as shear stress, is NETosis. During this process, neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, release net-like structures to capture and neutralize pathogens. However, this mechanism also contributes to artery blockage and promotes dangerous inflammation and blood clots. Researchers have now discovered how these blood flow fluctuations worsen inflammation and clot formation, highlighting the crucial role of blood flow-related forces in the development of cardiovascular disease.

Based on these new findings, researchers at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute (Melbourne, VC, Australia) have identified an intervention target that could reduce these harmful effects. The study has found that the Piezo1 ion channel on cells is a key player in NETosis. It responds to the mechanical stress of altered blood flow by allowing calcium into the cells, which then initiates NETosis, leading to inflammation and blood clots. Published in Nature communicationThese results suggest that blocking Piezo1 could be an effective therapeutic strategy to counteract the negative effects of shear stress. Such a strategy holds promise for improving the treatment of atherosclerosis and other related diseases and could potentially provide significant public health benefits.

Image: Study shows how blood flow-related forces play a critical role in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

“Blood flow-related forces such as shear stress play a critical role in the development and progression of several cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and valvular heart disease,” said Sara Baratchi, associate professor at the Baker Institute and director of the Mechanobiology and Microfluidics Laboratory. “Understanding the effects of shear stress in areas where blood vessels or heart valves are constricted due to immune cells is critical in the context of cardiovascular disease, as it provides important insight into the mechanisms that drive disease progression and complications. With these findings, we are now one step closer to identifying protective treatments that can prevent this harmful clotting caused by the NETosis process.”

Related Links:
Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute