Static and Dynamic: Evolving Biomaterial Mechanical Properties to Control Cellular Mechanotransduction

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cell Biology
• Mechanobiology

Background:

• The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides crucial physical, biological, and chemical signals to cells.
• Mechanical signals from the cellular microenvironment significantly influence cell behaviors like adhesion, migration, and differentiation.
• Conventional static biomaterials have limitations in fully recapitulating the dynamic nature of the in vivo cellular environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of key mechanobiology players.
• To review state-of-the-art techniques and novel materials for designing static and dynamic ECM-mimicking biomaterials from a biophysical perspective.
• To compare static and dynamic mechanical cues in regulating cellular mechanosensing and functions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of mechanobiology principles.
• Analysis of current biomaterial design strategies for ECM mimicry.
• Comparison of static versus dynamic mechanical cues in cellular regulation.

Main Results:

• Emerging novel biomaterials can impart spatiotemporal biophysical cues to manipulate cell fate.
• Dynamic biomaterials possess adaptive traits that enhance cell functions and meet cellular requirements.
• Both static and dynamic mechanical cues play distinct roles in cellular mechanosensing and function.

Conclusions:

• Novel dynamic biomaterials offer advanced control over cell fate and function.
• Understanding the interplay between static and dynamic mechanical cues is vital for developing sophisticated biomechanical systems.
• This review facilitates the development of engineered biomechanical systems for regulating cell functions.