Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Role of Mechanical Stimulations
in Directing Mesenchymal Stem Cell
Adipogenesis
Hillary Stoll and Jung Yul Lim
Abstract An increased recruitment of new preadipocytes from mesenchymal
stem cell (MSC) sources to form adipocytes and deposit adipose tissue is one of
the features of obesity. In this chapter, the role of mechanical extracellular envi-
ronments in directing MSC adipogenic commitment and differentiation will be
reviewed. It was recently highlighted that adipose cells and their precursor cells,
including MSCs, are exposed in vivo to complex mechanical stimulations. Further,
studies proposed that adipose cells are 'mechanically sensitive and responsive',
which is a characteristic of traditionally well-established mechanoresponsive cells
such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myoblasts, etc. While it is still in the early stage
of 'adipocyte mechanotransduction' research, this chapter will review the data
reported on the control of MSC fate decision to adipogenesis via utilizing
mechanical cell stimulations (stretch, compression, fluid flow) and also via static
mechanophysical signals from the cell culture substrate. Also, comparison of MSC
adipogenesis with the osteogenesis, as attempted in many of these studies, will be
reviewed. Determining extracellular mechanophysical conditions optimal to
inhibit the MSC adipogenesis and revealing underlying molecular mechanistic
pathways may significantly advance the strategy to deal with obesity.
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