The important role of cellular mechanical microenvironment in engineering structured cultivated meat: Recent advances

Cultivated meat (CM) provides a potential solution to meet the rising demand for eco-friendly meat supply systems. Recent efforts focus on producing CM that replicates the architecture and textural toughness of natural skeletal muscle. Significance of the regulated role of cellular microenvironment in myogenesis has been reinforced by the substantial influence of mechanical cues in mediating the muscle tissue organization. However, the formation of structured CM has not been adequately described in context of the mechanical microenvironment. In this review, we provide an updated understanding of the myogenesis process within mechanically dynamic three-dimensional microenvironments, discuss the effects of environmental mechanical factors on muscle tissue regeneration and how cell mechanics respond to the mechanical condition, and further highlight the role of mechanical cues as important references in constructing a sustainable Hydrocolloids-based biomaterials for CM engineering. These findings help to overcome current limitations in improving the textural properties of CM.