TY - JOUR
T1 - Biophysical cues and cell behavior
T2 - The big impact of little things
AU - Gasiorowski, Joshua Z.
AU - Murphy, Christopher J
AU - Nealey, Paul F.
PY - 2013/7
Y1 - 2013/7
N2 - The extracellular matrix is composed of a variety of proteins, polysaccharides, and glycosaminoglycans that self-assemble into a hierarchical order of nanometer- to micrometer-scale fibrils and fibers. The shapes, sizes, and elasticity present within this highly ordered meshwork regulate behaviors in most cell types. It has been well documented that cellular migration, proliferation, differentiation, and tissue development are all luenced by matrix geometries and compliance, but how these external biophysical cues are translated into activated intracellular signaling cascades remains poorly understood. Fortunately, technological improvements in artificial substrate fabrication have provided biologists with tools to test cellular interactions within controlled three-dimensional environments. Here, we review cellular responses to biophysical cues and discuss their clinical relevancy and application. We focus especially on integrative approaches that aim to first characterize the properties of specific extracellular matrices and then precisely fabricate biomimetic materials to elucidate how relevant cells respond to the individual biophysical cues present in their native tissues. Through these types of comprehensive studies, biologists have begun to understand and appreciate how exceedingly small features can have a significant impact on the regulation, development, and homeostasis of cells and tissues.
AB - The extracellular matrix is composed of a variety of proteins, polysaccharides, and glycosaminoglycans that self-assemble into a hierarchical order of nanometer- to micrometer-scale fibrils and fibers. The shapes, sizes, and elasticity present within this highly ordered meshwork regulate behaviors in most cell types. It has been well documented that cellular migration, proliferation, differentiation, and tissue development are all luenced by matrix geometries and compliance, but how these external biophysical cues are translated into activated intracellular signaling cascades remains poorly understood. Fortunately, technological improvements in artificial substrate fabrication have provided biologists with tools to test cellular interactions within controlled three-dimensional environments. Here, we review cellular responses to biophysical cues and discuss their clinical relevancy and application. We focus especially on integrative approaches that aim to first characterize the properties of specific extracellular matrices and then precisely fabricate biomimetic materials to elucidate how relevant cells respond to the individual biophysical cues present in their native tissues. Through these types of comprehensive studies, biologists have begun to understand and appreciate how exceedingly small features can have a significant impact on the regulation, development, and homeostasis of cells and tissues.
KW - biomimetic
KW - extracellular matrix
KW - mechanotransduction
KW - nanogrooves
KW - topography
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84880516474&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84880516474&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-071811-150021
DO - 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-071811-150021
M3 - Article
C2 - 23862676
AN - SCOPUS:84880516474
VL - 15
SP - 155
EP - 176
JO - Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering
JF - Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering
SN - 1523-9829
ER -