Disturbed flow
Disturbed flow has been studied in 4 papers since 2017: none in people yet, 1 in animals, 1 in cells, 1 review. The research so far is in animals and cells. The newest paper, Jul 1, 2025: “Single-cell RNA-seq analysis of mouse carotid artery under disturbed flow and human carotid plaques identifies key cell populations in atherosclerosis development”.
4 papers study it7 findingsUpdated
See all 4 papers on disturbed flow
At a glance
The findings reach people, from one lab or study. 3 independent labs in 4 countries.
“Human arteries exposed to d-flow had similar increases TSP-1 and collagen gene expression as seen in our model.”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 3 independent labs in 4 countries
- Funders: American Heart Association and 5 more
- Animals1
- Cells1
- In silico1
What did studies of disturbed flow find?
7Studies of disturbed flow measured 7 outcomes; the most studied are LATS1/2 protein abundance (1 study), CVD risk gene score (1) and cellular senescence (1).
LATS1/2 protein abundance
downin mouse cells1
1 study
LATS1/2 protein abundance
downin mouse cells1
Disturbed flow decreases LATS1/2 protein abundance in mouse cells.
“D-flow reduced LATS1/2 protein without affecting mRNA”
Cellsendothelium
Vessel-cell enzyme helped drive artery plaque buildup in mice
AHA Scientific Sessions 2026 abstract
CVD risk gene score
upin silico1
1 study
CVD risk gene score
upin silico1
Disturbed flow increases CVD risk gene score in fibroblasts.
“fibroblasts showing most significant increases in gene risk scores after disturbed flow stimulation”
In silicoin fibroblasts
Scientific reports
Cellular senescence
upin mice1
1 study
Cellular senescence
upin mice1
Disturbed flow increases cellular senescence in CD36+ endothelial cells.
“CD36 + positive ECs exhibited significant senescence phenotypes following disturbed flow stimulation”
Animalsin CD36+ endothelial cellscarotid artery
Scientific reports
VEGFA+ macrophages
upin mice1
1 study
VEGFA+ macrophages
upin mice1
Disturbed flow increases VEGFA+ macrophages in mice (disturbed flow versus control).
“Notable increases in VEGFA+ macrophages were discovered in the disturbed flow stimulation group”
Animalsdisturbed flow versus controlcarotid artery
Scientific reports
Premature aging
upin reviews1
1 study
Premature aging
upin reviews1
Disturbed flow increases premature aging.
“It is well known that disturbed flow (D-flow) accelerates pre-mature aging and plays a significant role in the development of AS.”
Review
Time-dependent replicative senescence vs. disturbed flow-induced pre-mature aging in atherosclerosis
Redox biology
THBS1
upin humans1
1 study
THBS1
upin humans1
Disturbed flow is linked with higher THBS1 in humans.
“Human arteries exposed to d-flow had similar increases TSP-1 and collagen gene expression as seen in our model.”
Humansartery
Disturbed Flow Promotes Arterial Stiffening Through Thrombospondin-1
Circulation
Arterial stiffness
upin mice1
1 study
Arterial stiffness
upin mice1
Disturbed flow increases arterial stiffness in mice after partial carotid ligation.
“D-flow induced arterial stiffening through collagen deposition after partial carotid ligation”
Animalsafter partial carotid ligationcarotid artery
Disturbed Flow Promotes Arterial Stiffening Through Thrombospondin-1
Circulation