Laminar Shear Stress (SS) induces cytosolic acidification and protects endothelial cells (ECs) from apoptosis. Our prior studies showed that acidification protects ECs from serum deprivation-induced apoptosis by a mechanism directly involving Axl-receptor activation. Aim of the present study was to determine whether the anti-apoptotic action of SS involves acidification-dependent Axl activation.
Laboratorio di Patologia Vascolare, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Via dei Monti di Creta, 104 00167, Rome, Italy. d.darcangelo@idi.it