Schematic representation of the effect of flow on the expression of inflammatory genes in endothelial cells. Laminar shear stress induces KLF2 that in turn changes distribution of pATF2 between the nucleus and the cytosol. Less nuclear pATF2 leads to a decrease in the transcription of inflammatory target genes (normal condition). Under disturbed flow conditions, more pATF2 remains in the nucleus and expression of inflammatory genes is increased. Upon inflammatory stimulation, NF-κB is activated and overrules the flow-dependent decrease in nuclear pATF2 (TNF-α/β, TNFR2, I-TRAF, TRAF2, TRAF3, CIAP, RIP, NIK, IKKs; components of NF-κB signaling).