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Regulatory Roles of Fluctuation-Driven Mechanotransduction in Cell Function
Béla Suki1, Harikrishnan Parameswaran2, Jasmin Imsirovic2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts bsuki@bu.edu.
Physiology (Bethesda, Md.)
|August 12, 2016
Summary
Mechanical forces on cells, known as fluctuation-driven mechanotransduction, are irregular. This review explores how these variable stresses regulate cell function as an emergent network phenomenon, with examples from the vasculature, lung, and tissue engineering.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Mechanobiology
Background:
- Cells encounter diverse and irregular mechanical stimuli in vivo.
- Understanding cellular responses to mechanical forces is crucial for various biological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review fluctuation-driven mechanotransduction, where cellular stresses vary cyclically.
- To explore mechanisms by which variable mechanical stimuli regulate cell function.
- To discuss implications in vasculature, lung, and tissue engineering.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of fluctuation-driven mechanotransduction.
- Analysis of emergent network phenomena in cellular mechanics.
- Discussion of regulatory mechanisms and biological examples.
Main Results:
- Mechanotransduction driven by fluctuating stresses is an emergent network phenomenon.
- Several potential mechanisms for regulating cell function via these stimuli are proposed.
- Examples illustrate the role of fluctuation-driven mechanotransduction in the vasculature, lung, and tissue engineering.
Conclusions:
- Fluctuation-driven mechanotransduction is a key network phenomenon regulating cell function.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms and applications.
- Identified open questions highlight future research directions.
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