Multiscale Mechanobiology in Brain Physiology and Diseases

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biophysics
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Mechanical forces are increasingly recognized as critical regulators of brain function.
• Brain cell responses to mechanical stimuli involve complex biochemical and genomic pathways.
• The role of mechanical forces in neuronal processes and disease pathogenesis is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of brain tissue mechanics and mechanobiology.
• To explore the role of neuronal and glial cell mechanics in brain homeostasis and disease.
• To highlight the importance of mechanobiology in understanding and treating brain disorders.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on brain tissue composition, cell mechanics, and mechanosensing.
• Discussion of the extracellular matrix's role in modulating brain cell function.
• Analysis of mechanobiology's contribution to traumatic brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases, and neuroblastoma.

Main Results:

• Brain tissue exhibits significant microstructural heterogeneity influencing mechanical properties.
• Changes in extracellular matrix composition and mechanics alter brain cell functions.
• Mechanosensing mechanisms are key to cellular responses to mechanical cues.

Conclusions:

• Mechanobiology is vital for understanding brain function and disease.
• Further research requires manipulation of the cell microenvironment and advanced 3D models.
• Insights into brain mechanobiology offer new avenues for treating neurological disorders.