Mechanical Force Directs Proliferation and Differentiation of Stem Cells

Abstract

Stem cells have attracted much attention in the field of regeneration due to their unique ability to promote regeneration. Among the many approaches used to regulate directed proliferation and differentiation of stem cells, application of mechanical forces is safe, simple, and easy to implement, all of which are advantageous to practical applications. In this review, the mechanisms of mechanical regulation of stem cell proliferation and differentiation are summarized with emphasis on force transduction pathways from the extracellular matrix to the nucleus. Prospects for future clinical applications are also discussed. In conclusion, through specific signaling pathways, mechanical signals ultimately affect gene expression and thus guide cell fate. Mechanical factors can regulate proliferation and differentiation of stem cells through signaling pathways, a greater understanding of which will contribute to future research and applications of cell regeneration therapy. Impact statement Mechanical mechanics is vital for the regulation of cell fate; especially in the field of regenerative medicine, mechanical control has characteristics that are simple and comparable. Mechanically regulated pathways exist widely in cells and are distributed at various structural levels of cells. In this review, we categorized the mechanical regulatory pathways through the clue of the mechanical transmission. We tried to include some newly researched pathways, such as Piezo-related pathways, to show the recent vigorous development in this field.

Keywords: cell differentiation; cell proliferation; cellular mechanotransduction; regenerative medicines; stem cells.