The Influence of the Mechanical Niche and Ageing in Endothelial Cells on Glycocalyx Expression

This project explores how substrate stiffness and cellular aging influence the expression of the endothelial glycocalyx (GCX), a carbohydrate-rich, hair-like layer that coats the luminal surface of endothelial cells. The GCX plays a vital role in vascular health, acting as a mechanosensor and mediator of signal transduction in response to blood flow. It also contributes to anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant processes, regulates vascular permeability, and its shedding is considered a marker of cardiovascular disease progression.

With aging, blood vessels become stiffer, and GCX expression is often impaired. However, the individual contributions of substrate stiffness and cellular aging to this impairment remain unclear. The aim of this project is to decouple these factorsand determine how each influences GCX expression in endothelial cells.

To address this, we use bioreactor systems that allow us to precisely tune the mechanical environment, including flow, stretch, stiffness, and pressure. This controlled setup enables a systematic investigation of how mechanical and cellular factors interact to regulate endothelial GCX expression.

By isolating and studying the effects of ageing, stiffness and other mechanical inputs, we aim to uncover mechanobiological mechanisms that could inform future strategies to preserve or restore GCX function and improve vascular health in aging populations.