Vascular cells are continuously subjected to pulsatile mechanical extension of vessels caused by the periodic contraction of the heart. The physiology of vascular cells strongly depends on these mechanical forces. Now, it has been demonstrated that the temporal reactions of vascular cells to such mechanical perturbation are specific for the individual vascular cell type -- smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. These cell type-specific mechano-responses may overall contribute to the vascular tissues integrity.

Source: How mechanical stretching forces impact human vascular cells