Mechanoregulation Mechanism of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Arterial Wall Thickening During Hypertension

Aortic wall thickening under hypertension is regarded as a smooth muscle adaptation to restore homeostasis. However, the cellular mechanisms initiating and terminating this response remain unclear. Hypertension induces mechanical stimuli—such as hydrostatic pressure, interstitial shear stress, and cyclic stretch—that may trigger cellular adaptation. We hypothesized that cyclic stretch transmitted via stress fibers regulates both the onset and cessation of this process. To test this, we quantified strain along stress fiber orientation under hypertensive and adaptive conditions. Our results suggest that stress fibers modulate nuclear mechanics and act as mechanosensors in vascular remodeling during hypertension.