Advanced materials and devices strategies of mechanical stimulation for tissue regeneration

Mechanical stimulation as a form of physical therapy plays a crucial role in regulating cellular behavior and promoting tissue regeneration. It can influence cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and extracellular matrix deposition, thereby providing a powerful biophysical cue in regenerative medicine. The implementation of precisely controllable mechanical stimulation relies on efficient and reliable tool platforms that can deliver defined magnitudes, frequencies, directions and temporal patterns of force, while maintaining high reproducibility and safety in biological environments. For mechanical stimulation of cells and injured tissues, a variety of materials as well as devices with distinct force outputs, such as stretchable elastic substrates, microfluidic shear systems and mechano-active scaffolds have been designed to meet diverse experimental and therapeutic requirements. Moreover, functional materials integrated with magnetic, acoustic and optical modalities are also been developed to establish remote mechanical stimulation systems, enabling spatiotemporally programmable interventions even in deep or delicate tissues. This review summarizes recent advances of the in vitro and in vivo strategies that leverage mechanical stimulation in regenerative medicine, along with its regulatory effects on regenerative processes in neural, skeletal, muscular and other tissues. Finally, the major challenges and prospects regarding materials and devices for mechanical stimulation in tissue therapy are discussed.