Morphological Changes of the Endothelial Cell under the Influence of the Hemodynamic Stresses

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of hemodynamics on morphological changes of human endothelial cells. METHODS: The changes under the laminar flow condition are investigated by the in-vitro experiment and computer simulation. Micrographs of the endothelial cells in the laminar flow chamber are taken as a function of the exposed time. Idealized geometric shapes of the cells whose shapes are changing with the exposed time due to the flow stresses are portrayed by the computer simulation. Drag force on the cell due to the pressure and shear stress is calculated for two constraining conditions, that is, the cell changes its shape keeping its initial volume or initial surface area. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The drag force of the cell which keeps constant volume is smaller than that of the cell which keeps constant surface area.