Mechanobiology of cardiac regeneration

Heart function is tightly coupled to mechanical forces acting on cardiac cells, which are converted into intracellular signals that regulate gene expression and cellular behavior. While dysregulation of these forces contributes to cardiovascular diseases, their potential to guide regeneration remains an open and exciting area of investigation. Vertebrates with innate regenerative capacity, such as teleost fish and urodele amphibians, offer unique opportunities to uncover the underlying physical principles of heart regeneration. Recent advances in intravital imaging and biomechanical tools now enable direct interrogation of mechanical cues and mechanotransduction pathways in the intact, regenerating heart. In this review, we summarize recent findings in regenerative cardiac mechanobiology and highlight key open questions in this rapidly evolving field.