Intracellular signal transduction as a factor in the development of "Smart" biomaterials for bone tissue engineering

• Published in: Biotechnology and bioengineering 2011-06, Vol.108 (6), p.1246-1250
• Main Authors: Zambuzzi, Willian F., Coelho, Paulo G., Alves, Gutemberg G., Granjeiro, José M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adhesion; Animals; Biocompatible Materials - metabolism; Bioengineering; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical materials; Biotechnology; Cell Adhesion; Cell adhesion & migration; Cellular; Cytokines; Cytoskeleton; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Health. Pharmaceutical industry; Hormones; Humans; Implant; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Kinases; Material Development; Miscellaneous; Osteoblasts - cytology; Osteoblasts - metabolism; Phosphorylation; Prostheses and Implants; Signal Transduction; Surgical implants; Tissue Engineering - methods; Tyrosine
• ISSN: 0006-3592; 1097-0290; 1097-0290
• DOI: 10.1002/bit.23117

Signal transduction involves studying the intracellular mechanisms that govern cellular responses to external stimuli such as hormones, cytokines, and also cell adhesion to biomaterials surfaces. Several events have been shown to be responsible for cellular adhesion and adaptation onto different surfaces. For instance, cytoskeletal rearrangements during cell adhesion require the recruitment of specific protein tyrosine kinases into focal adhesion structures that promote transient focal adhesion kinase and Src phosphorylations, initially modulating cell behavior. In addition, the phosphorylation of tyrosine (Y) residues have been generally accepted as a critical regulator of a wide range of cell‐related processes, including cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, survival signalling, and energy metabolism. The understanding of the signaling involved on the mechanisms of osteoblast adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation on implant surfaces is fundamental for the successful design of novel “smart” materials, potentially decreasing the repair time, thereby allowing for faster patient rehabilitation. Biotechnol. Bioeng. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.