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Tensional homeostasis at different length scales.
Dimitrije Stamenović1, Michael L Smith
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA. dimitrij@bu.edu.
Soft Matter
|July 23, 2020
Summary
Tensional homeostasis, maintaining stable mechanical stress, is crucial for cell and tissue health. Its breakdown signals disease progression, highlighting the need for further research into its underlying mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Mechanobiology
- Cellular mechanics
- Biophysics
Background:
- Tensional homeostasis is vital for organ, tissue, and cellular health.
- Disruptions in tensional homeostasis are linked to diseases like cancer and atherosclerosis.
- Understanding tensional homeostasis is key to comprehending disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review quantitative studies on tensional homeostasis.
- To characterize tensional homeostasis across various length scales (organ to subcellular).
- To explore static and dynamic approaches used in studying this phenomenon.
Main Methods:
- Survey of quantitative studies on tensional homeostasis.
- Analysis of both static and dynamic experimental approaches.
- Integration of literature findings and original research.
Main Results:
- Tensional homeostasis emerges from collective rheostatic mechanisms at focal adhesions.
- Cellular collective action influences tensional homeostasis, dependent on cell type and microenvironment.
- Cadherins promote tensional homeostasis, even in single cells, indicating their signaling role.
Conclusions:
- Tensional homeostasis is an emergent property driven by cellular and subcellular mechanisms.
- Focal adhesions and cell-cell interactions are key regulators.
- Cadherins play a significant role in maintaining tensional homeostasis.
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