Endothelium microenvironment sensing leading to nitric oxide mediated vasodilation: A review of nervous and biomechanical signals

•Neuropeptides leading to eNOS-dependent vasodilation are reviewed.•Mechanosensing signaling also induces vasodilation via eNOS.•Plasma membrane mechanics potentially modulates neural signaling.

Blood vessels are continuously exposed to various stresses such as mechanical strains and neurosignals. Besides its role as a barrier between blood and other tissues, the endothelium is a highly important cell layer for the regulation of vascular tone. Indeed, depending on the signal perceived by endothelial cells, it can drive a vasoconstrictor or vasodilator signal. This review presents mechano-receptors and neuro-receptors (restricted to neuropeptides) leading to vessel relaxation via the production of nitric oxide. Finally, some pieces of evidence of a potential cross-talk between these two kinds of stimuli are discussed.