Author(s): Dr. Maya K. Singh*
Mechanosensitive G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) are critical regulators in the cardiovascular system, translating mechanical forces like stretch, shear stress, and pressure into biochemical signals. These receptors, found in cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells, govern essential functions from cardiac contractility to vascular tone. Their activation contributes to both adaptive physiological responses and pathological remodeling in conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. Specific GPCRs, including AT1R, ET-1 receptors, aGPCRs, and GPR68, are key players in these processes. Understanding their diverse mechanotransductive mechanisms offers significant potential for developing novel therapeutic targets in cardiovascular disease.
