Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

3.4K
In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue. 
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
3.4K
Tension Response at Adherens Junctions01:26

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

3.4K
The adherens junctions that anchor cells together are multi-protein complexes that dynamically adapt to mechanical stimuli such as tensile forces and shear stress. Mechanosensory proteins in these junctions can sense such mechanical stimuli and undergo a shift in their conformation, resulting in an altered function — a process called mechanotransduction.
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin...
3.4K
Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation02:36

Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation

5.0K
Cell size is a significant factor impacting cellular design, function, and fitness. There exists some internal coordination by which cells double their masses before division, thus, achieving homeostasis. Coordination between cell growth and proliferation depends on the checkpoints in between cell cycle phases. Loss of coordination or failure in the checkpoint mechanism can drive the cell to uncontrolled growth and loss of cellular function. Like dividing cells that coordinate cellular growth,...
5.0K
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:12

Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

2.4K
Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
2.4K
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells01:01

Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

3.8K
All blood and immune cells are produced from the multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by the process of hematopoiesis. However, they all have a limited life span. In addition, many are depleted in immune surveillance or combatting an injury or infection. This makes blood one of the most regenerative tissues. Hematopoiesis helps replenish these blood and immune cells, restoring the body's normal functioning. However, overproduction of blood and immune cells can make them cancerous or...
3.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Sex differences in the association of lipoprotein(a) with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic individuals.

Journal of cardiology·2026
Same author

Reprogramming macrophage mechanosensation via TRPV4 modulating mechano-immunotherapy controls fibrotic encapsulation of biomaterial implants.

Bioactive materials·2026
Same author

Insertion Torque Characteristics of the KS 3 Implant in Weak Bone, Standardized Extraction-Socket-like, and Maxillary Sinus Simulation Models: An In Vitro Comparative Study.

Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Single-cell RNA sequencing profiles drug activity within spatially engineered 3D cultures.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Injectable Short Nanofiber Fragments Enable Conformal Fibrous Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering on Complex Surfaces.

Macromolecular rapid communications·2026
Same author

Multiracial individuals' perspectives on participating in genetics research.

Journal of community genetics·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 4, 2026

Single Cell Durotaxis Assay for Assessing Mechanical Control of Cellular Movement and Related Signaling Events
08:30

Single Cell Durotaxis Assay for Assessing Mechanical Control of Cellular Movement and Related Signaling Events

Published on: August 27, 2019

8.4K

Volume Adaptation Controls Stem Cell Mechanotransduction.

Luke G Major1, Andrew W Holle2,3, Jennifer L Young2,3

  • 1School of Human Sciences , University of Western Australia , Perth , Western Australia 6009 , Australia.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|November 13, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cell volume, not just matrix stiffness, dictates stem cell differentiation in 3D. This study reveals how 3D hydrogels control cell behavior and mechanotransduction for regenerative medicine applications.

Keywords:
cellular volumeextracellular matrixmechanobiologymechanotransductionstem cell differentiationstiffness gradient

More Related Videos

Mechanical Stimulation of Stem Cells Using Cyclic Uniaxial Strain
25:12

Mechanical Stimulation of Stem Cells Using Cyclic Uniaxial Strain

Published on: July 29, 2007

13.1K
A Simplified System for Evaluating Cell Mechanosensing and Durotaxis In Vitro
09:50

A Simplified System for Evaluating Cell Mechanosensing and Durotaxis In Vitro

Published on: August 27, 2015

8.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 4, 2026

Single Cell Durotaxis Assay for Assessing Mechanical Control of Cellular Movement and Related Signaling Events
08:30

Single Cell Durotaxis Assay for Assessing Mechanical Control of Cellular Movement and Related Signaling Events

Published on: August 27, 2019

8.4K
Mechanical Stimulation of Stem Cells Using Cyclic Uniaxial Strain
25:12

Mechanical Stimulation of Stem Cells Using Cyclic Uniaxial Strain

Published on: July 29, 2007

13.1K
A Simplified System for Evaluating Cell Mechanosensing and Durotaxis In Vitro
09:50

A Simplified System for Evaluating Cell Mechanosensing and Durotaxis In Vitro

Published on: August 27, 2015

8.6K

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Stem Cell Biology
  • Mechanobiology

Background:

  • Mechanotransduction studies often yield conflicting results between 2D and 3D environments.
  • There is a need for advanced tools to investigate mechanotransduction in 3D across diverse stiffness ranges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a 3D hydrogel with a continuous stiffness gradient to study stem cell mechanotransduction.
  • To analyze the impact of matrix stiffness on adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) morphology, mechanosensitive protein localization, and differentiation markers.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of a gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel with a stiffness gradient (5-38 kPa).
  • Encapsulation of ASCs within the hydrogel and analysis of cellular/nuclear volume, mechanosensitive protein (Lamin A, YAP, MRTFa) localization, and differentiation markers (PPARγ, RUNX2).
  • Pharmacological inhibition of actomyosin contractility (Blebbistatin, Y-27632) and transfection of ASCs with TAZ variants.

Main Results:

  • Low stiffness (∼8 kPa) promoted increased cell/nuclear volume and nuclear localization of mechanosensitive proteins.
  • High stiffness (∼30 kPa) led to decreased cell/nuclear volume and reduced nuclear localization of mechanosensitive proteins.
  • Soft regions enhanced osteogenic RUNX2 expression, while stiff regions upregulated adipogenic PPARγ, indicating volume-dependent differentiation.

Conclusions:

  • Cellular volume adaptation, influenced by 3D matrix stiffness, is a key regulator of stem cell mechanotransduction and differentiation.
  • Findings suggest that cell volume, rather than substrate stiffness alone, can drive 3D stem cell differentiation.
  • This work provides insights into controlling stem cell fate in 3D for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.