A guide to mechanobiology: Where biology and physics meet

Cells actively sense and process mechanical information that is provided by the extracellular environment to make decisions about growth, motility and differentiation. It is important to understand the underlying mechanisms given that deregulation of the mechanical properties of the extracellular ma...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biochimica et biophysica acta 2015-11, Vol.1853 (11), p.3043-3052
Main Authors: Jansen, Karin A., Donato, Dominique M., Balcioglu, Hayri E., Schmidt, Thomas, Danen, Erik H.J., Koenderink, Gijsje H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
2D vs 3D
Animals
Cell Differentiation
Cytoskeleton
Extracellular matrix
Extracellular Matrix - chemistry
Extracellular Matrix - physiology
Humans
Integrins
Mechanosensing
Mechanotransduction
Neoplasms - chemistry
Neoplasms - metabolism
Stem Cells - chemistry
Stem Cells - metabolism
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Summary:Cells actively sense and process mechanical information that is provided by the extracellular environment to make decisions about growth, motility and differentiation. It is important to understand the underlying mechanisms given that deregulation of the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is implicated in various diseases, such as cancer and fibrosis. Moreover, matrix mechanics can be exploited to program stem cell differentiation for organ-on-chip and regenerative medicine applications. Mechanobiology is an emerging multidisciplinary field that encompasses cell and developmental biology, bioengineering and biophysics. Here we provide an introductory overview of the key players important to cellular mechanobiology, taking a biophysical perspective and focusing on a comparison between flat versus three dimensional substrates. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Mechanobiology. •Mechanosensing is critical for normal tissue and cell function.•This review summarizes the key molecular systems involved in mechanobiology.•Cells often respond differently on 2D substrates than in 3D extracellular matrices.•Highlights evidence of crosstalk of actin, microtubules and intermediate filaments.
ISSN:0167-4889
0006-3002
1879-2596
DOI:10.1016/j.bbamcr.2015.05.007