Webinar Featuring Stephan Huveneers, Ph.D.

Description

Our next webinar will be with Dr. Stephan Huveneers, Associate Professor from University Medical Center in Amsterdam. The title of his talk is "Force-dependent regulation of endothelial adhesion in vascular development and disease." 

Abstract: Blood vessels are continuously exposed to mechanical forces such as shear stress, blood pressure, and vessel wall stiffness. The vascular endothelium—a dynamic barrier between blood and tissue—plays a critical role in sensing these mechanical cues through a process known as mechanotransduction. This process is essential for maintaining vascular homeostasis, and its dysregulation contributes to stiffness-associated cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, edema, and atherosclerosis. A key determinant of endothelial function lies in the force-sensitive nature of cell adhesions, particularly integrin-based adhesions and intercellular junctions. In our work, we investigate how these adhesive structures respond and adapt to mechanical forces. I will present our latest findings identifying novel molecular systems that regulate endothelial barrier function and angiogenesis.