Balancing forces: architectural control of mechanotransduction.

TitleBalancing forces: architectural control of mechanotransduction.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsDuFort CC, Paszek MJ, Weaver VM
JournalNat Rev Mol Cell Biol
Volume12
Issue5
Pagination308-19
Date Published2011 May
ISSN1471-0080
KeywordsAnimals, Cell Adhesion, Extracellular Matrix, Homeostasis, Humans, Intercellular Junctions, Mechanotransduction, Cellular, Models, Biological, Stress, Mechanical
Abstract

All cells exist within the context of a three-dimensional microenvironment in which they are exposed to mechanical and physical cues. These cues can be disrupted through perturbations to mechanotransduction, from the nanoscale-level to the tissue-level, which compromises tensional homeostasis to promote pathologies such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. The mechanisms of such perturbations suggest that a complex interplay exists between the extracellular microenvironment and cellular function. Furthermore, sustained disruptions in tensional homeostasis can be caused by alterations in the extracellular matrix, allowing it to serve as a mechanically based memory-storage device that can perpetuate a disease or restore normal tissue behaviour.

DOI10.1038/nrm3112
Alternate JournalNat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol.
PubMed ID21508987
PubMed Central IDPMC3564968
Grant ListP50CA58207 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA138818 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA138818‑01A1 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
U54 CA143836 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
U54CA143836‑01 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States