Integrated experimental and theoretical approaches to microvascular transport and regulation

The microcirculation is in a continuous state of change as we grow and evolve in both health and disease. The transport characteristics of blood flow through the microcirculation, intercellular signaling in response to local demands, and coordination between these two players strongly influence the adaptation of the microcirculation to support microvascular function. Notably, both biophysical and electrophysiological phenomena contribute to processes which influence new blood vessel growth and adaption, local regulation of vascular tone and control of microvascular blood distribution, or pathologies related to tumor growth or organ dysfunction. High resolution computational models and experimental studies promise to provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying such processes. This special issue focuses on i) computational models which elucidate hemodynamic characteristics unique to the microcirculation, ii) elucidating microvascular signaling related to blood flow regulation and distribution, and iii) integrating hemodynamics and intercellular signaling to identify synergistic roles and mechanistic contributions.