Humphrey JD, Dufresne ER, Schwartz MA, et al.
Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology. Date of publication 2014 Dec 1;volume 15(12):802-12.
1. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2014 Dec;15(12):802-12. doi: 10.1038/nrm3896. Epub 2014
Oct 22.
Mechanotransduction and extracellular matrix homeostasis.
Humphrey JD(1), Dufresne ER(2), Schwartz MA(3).
Author information:
(1)Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University.
(2)1] Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yale University. [2] Department of
Cell Biology, Yale University.
(3)1] Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University. [2] Department of
Cell Biology, Yale University. [3] Department of Medicine, Yale University, New
Haven, Connecticut, 06520 USA.
Soft connective tissues at steady state are dynamic; resident cells continually
read environmental cues and respond to them to promote homeostasis, including
maintenance of the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that
are fundamental to cellular and tissue health. The mechanosensing process
involves assessment of the mechanics of the ECM by the cells through integrins
and the actomyosin cytoskeleton, and is followed by a mechanoregulation process,
which includes the deposition, rearrangement or removal of the ECM to maintain
overall form and function. Progress towards understanding the molecular, cellular
and tissue-level effects that promote mechanical homeostasis has helped to
identify key questions for future research.
DOI: 10.1038/nrm3896
PMCID: PMC4513363
PMID: 25355505 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
