Are ENaC (Epithelial Na+ channels) sheer sensors in arteries? This is the central question we explore in our latest podcast, as Associate Editor Robert Hester (University of Mississippi Medical Center) and content expert Heather Drummond (University of Mississippi Medical Center) interview lead author Martin Fronius (University of Otago, New Zealand) about the intriguing new work by Ashley et al. Fronius and co-authors observed a dilation in vessel diameter in carotid arteries when ENaC was blocked. In contrast, blocking ENaC in mesenteric arteries resulted in vasoconstriction. Does the architecture of the ENaC itself, in endothelial cells compared to smooth muscle cells, affect the response to sheer stress? Listen and find out.

 

Zoe Ashley, Sama Mugloo, Fiona J. McDonald, and Martin Fronius Epithelial Na+ channel differentially contributes to shear stress-mediated vascular responsiveness in carotid and mesenteric arteries from mice Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, published May 1, 2018. DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00506.2017