Shear stress-induced endothelial HEG1 signalling regulates vascular tone and blood pressure
Authors' conclusion
Our study identifies a novel shear-sensitive endothelial HEG1 signalling pathway in BP regulation
Study context
- Population
- Hypertensive subjects (independent cohorts) and endothelial-specific Heg1 deletion mice
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Plasma HEG1 down-regulated in hypertensive subjects due to reduced wall shear stress, which diminished HEG1 expression and release
- Endothelial-specific Heg1 deletion in mice: elevated blood pressure (BP), impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation, hypertensive levels especially in ApoeKO dyslipidaemia background
- HEG1 facilitated CUL3-mediated degradation of PHACTR1; HEG1 deletion increased PHACTR1 levels and nuclear translocation, suppressing SP1-mediated eNOS transcription and NO production
- Inhibition of PHACTR1 nuclear localization by CCG-1423 prevented impaired vasodilation and hypertension
Original publication
Shear stress-induced endothelial HEG1 signalling regulates vascular tone and blood pressure. Eur Heart J. Published 23 September 2025. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it