Mechanosensitive channels in the mechanical component of the exercise pressor reflex

Abstract

The cardiovascular response is appropriately regulated during exercise to meet the metabolic demands of the active muscles. The exercise pressor reflex is a neural feedback mechanism through thin-fiber muscle afferents activated by mechanical and metabolic stimuli in the active skeletal muscles. The mechanical component of this reflex is referred to as skeletal muscle mechanoreflex. Its initial step requires mechanotransduction mediated by mechanosensors, which convert mechanical stimuli into biological signals. Recently, various mechanosensors have been identified, and their contributions to muscle mechanoreflex have been actively investigated. Nevertheless, the mechanosensitive channels responsible for this muscular reflex remain largely unknown. This review discusses progress in our understanding of muscle mechanoreflex under healthy conditions, focusing on mechanosensitive channels.