Mechanotransduction in stem cells

Carmelo Ferrai*, Carsten Schulte

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)
7 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Nowadays, it is an established concept that the capability to reach a specialised cell identity via differentiation, as in the case of multi- and pluripotent stem cells, is not only determined by biochemical factors, but that also physical aspects of the microenvironment play a key role; interpreted by the cell through a force-based signalling pathway called mechanotransduction. However, the intricate ties between the elements involved in mechanotransduction, such as the extracellular matrix, the glycocalyx, the cell membrane, Integrin adhesion complexes, Cadherin-mediated cell/cell adhesion, the cytoskeleton, and the nucleus, are still far from being understood in detail. Here we report what is currently known about these elements in general and their specific interplay in the context of multi- and pluripotent stem cells. We furthermore merge this overview to a more comprehensive picture, that aims to cover the whole mechanotransductive pathway from the cell/microenvironment interface to the regulation of the chromatin structure in the nucleus. Ultimately, with this review we outline the current picture of the interplay between mechanotransductive cues and epigenetic regulation and how these processes might contribute to stem cell dynamics and fate.

Original languageEnglish
Article number151417
Number of pages17
JournalEuropean Journal of Cell Biology
Volume103
Issue number2
Early online date9 May 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2024

Keywords

  • chromatin remodelling
  • epigenetic regulation
  • mechanobiology
  • mechanotransduction
  • multipotent stem cells
  • pluripotent stem cells

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