A Brief Overview of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of the Pulmonary Circulation

This chapter delves into the biomechanics and mechanobiology of the right side of the human circulatory system, focusing on the vascular pulmonary circulation driven by the right ventricle. Pulmonary circulation is necessary for oxygenating deoxygenated blood returning from the body. It plays the unique role of joining the circulatory system with the pulmonary airways. A better appreciation of biomechanics (the physical properties and behaviors of biological tissues under various forces and deformations) and mechanobiology (how cellular and molecular activities respond to their mechanical environment) enables a better understanding of cardiopulmonary physiology and pathophysiology. The anatomical and functional challenges of assessing right ventricle dynamics, the biomechanical properties of the pulmonary vasculature, and the implications of mechanobiological interactions in disease and therapy are discussed. Some examples of complex adaptations and remodeling in response to aging and disease are highlighted. The importance of mechanical testing protocols, theoretical constitutive formulations, and advanced imaging techniques in understanding these physiological processes is briefly reviewed. Attention is given to current experimental capabilities, challenges, and the integration of computational models to enhance clinical insights and therapeutic approaches.