Vascular autoregulation in a model using mechanosensory ion channels

Abstract

Mechanosensory ion channels (MACs) are incorporated into a myogenic model, which states that blood flow is regulated, in part, through feedback regulation of vessel diameter, which is controlled by smooth muscles surrounding the afferent arterioles. Feedback to the smooth muscle effectors is provided by tension-dependent currents from MACs, consisting mainly of K/sup +/ efflux. Smooth muscles respond to depolarizing K/sup +/ currents by contraction. The model shows the ability of vascular beds to autoregulate flow in the presence of changing arterial pressures.<>