Visualization of Ins(1,4,5)P3 dynamics in living cells: two distinct pathways for Ins(1,4,5)P3 generation following mechanical stimulation of HSY-EA1 cells

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.

Download Full-text

Mechanical stimulation of human BON cells: Gαq involvement in 5-HT release

Gastroenterology ◽

10.1016/s0016-5085(01)80410-8 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 120 (5) ◽

pp. A83-A83

Author(s):

M KIM ◽

N JAVED ◽

F CHRISTOFI ◽

H COOKE

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Stimulation ◽

Bon Cells ◽

Stimulation Of

Download Full-text

Neural mechanisms of hepatic blood flow response to noxious mechanical stimulation of skin in anesthetized rats

Neuroscience Research ◽

10.1016/s0168-0102(00)81890-8 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 38 ◽

pp. S174

Author(s):

K Enomoto

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Hepatic Blood Flow ◽

Mechanical Stimulation ◽

Neural Mechanisms ◽

Blood Flow Response ◽

Flow Response ◽

Anesthetized Rats ◽

Noxious Mechanical Stimulation ◽

Stimulation Of

Download Full-text

Use of Flexible Materials with a Novel Pressure Driven Equibiaxial Cell Stretching Device for Mechanical Stimulation of Single Mammalian Cells

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-773-n5.6 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 773 ◽

Author(s):

James D. Kubicek ◽

Stephanie Brelsford ◽

Philip R. LeDuc

Keyword(s):

Cell Fate ◽

Mechanical Stimulation ◽

Mammalian Cells ◽

Cellular Response ◽

Single Cells ◽

Complex Nature ◽

Cellular Behavior ◽

Cell Stretching ◽

Stimulation Of ◽

Pressure Driven

AbstractMechanical stimulation of single cells has been shown to affect cellular behavior from the molecular scale to ultimate cell fate including apoptosis and proliferation. In this, the ability to control the spatiotemporal application of force on cells through their extracellular matrix connections is critical to understand the cellular response of mechanotransduction. Here, we develop and utilize a novel pressure-driven equibiaxial cell stretching device (PECS) combined with an elastomeric material to control specifically the mechanical stimulation on single cells. Cells were cultured on silicone membranes coated with molecular matrices and then a uniform pressure was introduced to the opposite surface of the membrane to stretch single cells equibiaxially. This allowed us to apply mechanical deformation to investigate the complex nature of cell shape and structure. These results will enhance our knowledge of cellular and molecular function as well as provide insights into fields including biomechanics, tissue engineering, and drug discovery.

Download Full-text