Shear stress imposed by blood flow is crucial for differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Histone deacetylase SIRT1 has been shown to play a pivotal role in many physiological processes. However, association of SIRT1 expression with shear stress-induced EPC differentiation remains to be elucidated. The present study was designed to determine the effect of SIRT1 on EPC differentiation induced by shear stress, and to seek the underlying mechanisms. Human umbilical cord blood-derived EPCs were exposed to laminar shear stress of 15 dyn/cm(2) by parallel plate flow chamber system. Shear stress enhanced EPC differentiation toward endothelial cells (ECs) while inhibited to smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The expressions of phospho-Akt, SIRT1 and histone H3 acetylation (Ac-H3) in EPCs were detected after exposure to shear stress for 2, 6, 12, and 24 h, respectively. Shear stress significantly activated Akt phosphorylation, augmented SIRT1 expression and downregulated Ac-H3. SIRT1 siRNA in EPCs diminished the expression of EC markers, but increased the expression of SMC markers, and resulted in upregulation of Ac-H3. Whereas, resveratrol, an activator of SIRT1, had the opposite effects on both EPC differentiation and histone H3 acetylation. Wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI3-kinase, suppressed endothelial differentiation of EPCs, decreased SIRT1, and upregulated Ac-H3 expression. In addition, SIRT1 promoted tube formation of EPCs in matrix gels. These results provided a mechanobiological basis of shear stress-induced EPC differentiation into ECs and suggest that PI3k/Akt-SIRT1-Ac-H3 pathway is crucial in such a process.