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Dissecting cellular mechanics: Implications for aging, cancer, and immunity
Michael J Harris1, Denis Wirtz2, Pei-Hsun Wu1
1Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences - Oncology Center, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|October 26, 2018
Summary
Cellular viscoelasticity, a measure of cell mechanics, changes with disease states like cancer and aging. Understanding these changes and how to measure them in tissues is crucial for disease research.
Area of Science:
- Cellular and Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cells dynamically respond to environmental cues via the cytoskeleton.
- Cellular mechanical properties, or viscoelasticity, are altered in various diseases.
- Altered viscoelasticity impacts immune responses and cellular functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the characterization of cell mechanics in disease.
- To discuss the role of altered viscoelasticity in immune response regulation.
- To overview techniques for measuring cell mechanics within tissues.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on cell mechanics and disease.
- Analysis of studies linking cellular viscoelasticity to disease states.
- Compilation of methods for measuring mechanical properties of cells in complex environments.
Main Results:
- Altered cellular viscoelasticity is a significant indicator across diseases including cancer, laminopathy, infection, and aging.
- Changes in cell mechanics are implicated in the regulation of immune responses.
- Techniques exist for measuring the mechanical properties of cells within tissues.
Conclusions:
- Cellular viscoelasticity is a critical factor in cellular responses to the microenvironment.
- Dysregulation of cell mechanics is a hallmark of numerous diseases.
- Advanced techniques are emerging for in-situ measurement of cell mechanics within tissues.
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