How a Single Cell Sense its Mechanical Environment?

Authors

Shengmao Lin, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Linxia Gu, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2016

Citation

Lin and Gu, J Biosens Bioelectron 2016, 7:1

http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2155-6210.1000201

Comments

© 2016 Lin S, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License

Abstract

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for regulating cell behavior and tissue function [1]. Local ECM structure and mechanics are increasingly recognized as important mechanical effectors of cell responses and tissue regeneration [2]. This is illustrated by the fact that either the rigidity of ECM [3] or local tension regulate cellular mechanotransduction pathways, and their dysregulation results in many different types of diseases [4,5]. It was speculated that cell contractions, generated by the cross-bridging interaction of actin and myosin II motors, maintain a tensional homeostasis in response to mechanical disturbance. The question is what is exactly the tensional homeostasis, if any?