NOTCH1 is a mechanosensor in adult arteries
in vivo increases of laminar blood flow elicit proportional Notch1 receptor signaling that promotes vascular endothelial cell elongation, while maintaining cell-to-cell junctional integrity and repressing proliferation. Of note, fluid shear stress-elicited Notch1 mechanosignaling protects hypercholesterolemic mice from atherosclerosis.
Pulling mechanical forces exerted by the endocytosis of Delta ligands unfold Notch receptors, thus allowing their cleavage and signaling {1,2}.
Common Design 