The LINC complex, mechanotransduction, and mesenchymal stem cell function and fate

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are crucial for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
• MSCs are mechanosensitive, responding to external mechanical cues.
• Nuclear envelope proteins, especially the LINC complex, are increasingly recognized for mechanical signal transduction in MSCs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review how cells sense mechanical environments through the nuclear envelope and LINC complex.
• To highlight the role of the LINC complex in regulating MSC function and fate.
• To explore MSC mechanobiology under varying mechanical loading conditions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on nuclear envelope proteins and the LINC complex in MSCs.
• Analysis of studies investigating MSC mechanosensitivity.
• Synthesis of current knowledge on LINC complex function in MSCs under mechanical stress.

Main Results:

• The nuclear envelope and LINC complex are key mediators of mechanical signal sensing in MSCs.
• The LINC complex influences MSC form, function, and differentiation.
• Mechanical loading significantly impacts LINC complex-mediated MSC responses.

Conclusions:

• The LINC complex is a critical regulator of MSC mechanobiology.
• Understanding LINC complex roles offers new insights into MSC function.
• This knowledge can advance functional tissue engineering applications using MSCs.