Characterizing and Engineering Biomimetic Materials for Viscoelastic Mechanotransduction Studies

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Mechanobiology
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Soft tissue extracellular matrix exhibits time-dependent mechanical behavior.
• This behavior evolves due to physiological processes, aging, and disease.
• Quantifying time-dependent mechanics of labile, hydrated soft tissues is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review measurement techniques and models for soft hydrated material viscoelastic properties.
• To discuss factors influencing in vivo tissue viscoelasticity and cell responses.
• To provide considerations for cell viscoelastic mechanotransduction research.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of measurement techniques for viscoelastic properties.
• Analysis of models used to characterize viscoelasticity in soft materials.
• Discussion of in vivo factors and cell responses to time-dependent materials.

Main Results:

• Differentiates viscoelastic behavior from its quantitative descriptors.
• Highlights key factors determining tissue viscoelasticity in vivo.
• Summarizes current knowledge on cell responses to time-dependent materials.

Conclusions:

• A rigorous approach to viscoelastic material design and testing is vital for mechanobiology.
• Understanding time scales (mechanical, cellular, observation) is critical for experimental design.
• This review offers insights for cell viscoelastic mechanotransduction and biomimetic material development.