Mechanism of shear force-dependent monocyte adhesion to vascular endothelium

As fluid shear stress and hence net force on cells increases at a constant shear rate (contact time), monocyte adhesion increases. This phenomena is hypothesized to result from penetration of charge barriers and increased deformation of the monocytic cell line Mono Mac 6. It is show that at higher shear forces, the greater cell deformation of the linoleic acid modified cells compensates for the increase in shear rate to a greater extent than the control cells. Since monocyte membrane linoleic acid content increases upon incubation with LDL, these results suggest that changes in the mechanical behavior of monocytes may occur during atherosclerosis promoting further monocyte adhesion to endothelium.