Pressure‐dependent regulation of Ca(2+) signalling in the vascular endothelium

Increased pressure suppresses endothelial control of vascular tone but it remains uncertain (1) how pressure is sensed by the endothelium and (2) how the vascular response is inhibited. This study used a novel imaging method to study large numbers of endothelial cells in arteries that were in a physiological configuration and held at normal blood pressures. Increased pressure suppressed endothelial IP(3)‐mediated Ca(2+) signals. Pressure modulated endothelial cell shape. The changes in cell shape may alter endothelial Ca(2+) signals by modulating the diffusive environment for Ca(2+) near IP(3) receptors. Endothelial pressure‐dependent mechanosensing may occur without a requirement for a conventional molecular mechanoreceptor.