Am J Physiol Cell Physiol AJP: Advances in Physiology Education
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 287: C1-C11, 2004; doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00559.2003
0363-6143/04 $5.00
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Web of Science (75)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Huang, H.
Right arrow Articles by Lee, R. T.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Huang, H.
Right arrow Articles by Lee, R. T.

INVITED REVIEW

Cell mechanics and mechanotransduction: pathways, probes, and physiology

Hayden Huang,1 Roger D. Kamm,2 and Richard T. Lee1,2

1Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02139; and 2Biological Engineering Division, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139

Cells face not only a complex biochemical environment but also a diverse biomechanical environment. How cells respond to variations in mechanical forces is critical in homeostasis and many diseases. The mechanisms by which mechanical forces lead to eventual biochemical and molecular responses remain undefined, and unraveling this mystery will undoubtedly provide new insight into strengthening bone, growing cartilage, improving cardiac contractility, and constructing tissues for artificial organs. In this article we review the physical bases underlying the mechanotransduction process, techniques used to apply controlled mechanical stresses on living cells and tissues to probe mechanotransduction, and some of the important lessons that we are learning from mechanical stimulation of cells with precisely controlled forces.

cytoskeleton; micromanipulation; cell signaling



Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: H. Huang, Cardiovascular Division, Partners Research Facility, Rm. 279, 65 Landsdowne St., Cambridge, MA 02139 (E-mail: hhuang{at}rics.bwh.harvard.edu).




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol.Home page
Z. Sun, L. A. Martinez-Lemus, M. A. Hill, and G. A. Meininger
Extracellular matrix-specific focal adhesions in vascular smooth muscle produce mechanically active adhesion sites
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, July 1, 2008; 295(1): C268 - C278.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Proc R Soc AHome page
A. Voorhees, G. B Nackman, and T. Wei
Experiments show importance of flow-induced pressure on endothelial cell shape and alignment
Proc R Soc A, June 8, 2007; 463(2082): 1409 - 1419.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Phil Trans R Soc AHome page
B. Ribba, P. Tracqui, J.-L. Boix, J.-P. Boissel, and S. R. Thomas
QxDB: a generic database to support mathematical modelling in biology
Phil Trans R Soc A, June 15, 2006; 364(1843): 1517 - 1532.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
N. E. Vlahakis and R. D. Hubmayr
Cellular Stress Failure in Ventilator-injured Lungs
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., June 15, 2005; 171(12): 1328 - 1342.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
A. M. Pizzo, K. Kokini, L. C. Vaughn, B. Z. Waisner, and S. L. Voytik-Harbin
Extracellular matrix (ECM) microstructural composition regulates local cell-ECM biomechanics and fundamental fibroblast behavior: a multidimensional perspective
J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2005; 98(5): 1909 - 1921.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
B. Yap and R. D. Kamm
Mechanical deformation of neutrophils into narrow channels induces pseudopod projection and changes in biomechanical properties
J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2005; 98(5): 1930 - 1939.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]




HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Visit Other APS Journals Online
Copyright © 2004 by the American Physiological Society.