Yan Zu^1,2, Qiang Li¹, Chun Yang^2,*

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 106-106, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07132

Abstract Extracellular matrix (ECM) elasticity affects the function of a variety of cells. Integrins are transmembrane receptors that considered to be a sensor of cellular mechanical stimulation. The activity of integrins is strongly influenced by glycans through glycosylation events and the establishment of glycan-mediated interactions. Our study found that the level of β1 integrin N-linked glycosylation was significantly down-regulated on softer ECM. Further, sialic acid is a common monosaccharide modified at the end of the sugar chain during N-glycosylation. We subjected the enriched sialylated glycoproteins to gel-based proteomic identification by tandem mass spectrometry and found that the chondrocytes seeded on stiff… More >

Mingxing Ouyang^1,*, Zhili Qian¹, Yang Jin¹, Linhong Deng¹

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 65-65, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.06642

Abstract The collective functions at cell population level rely on cell-cell communications with or without direct contacts [1-3]. The long-range biomechanical force propagating across certain scales far beyond single cell size may reserve the capability to trigger coordinative biological responses within cell population [3-5]. Whether and how cells communicate with each other mechanically in a distant manner remains largely to be explored. Airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells are one crucial component in providing mechanical support and contraction force for the bronchial tubes in respiratory system, whereas the mechanical property of ASM is also associated with asthma attack, and during airway hyper-responsiveness,… More >

X. E. Guo¹

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.3, No.4, pp. 183-184, 2006, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2006.003.183

Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

Ricky Martinez^†, Hai-Chao Han^‡

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.9, No.1, pp. 55-76, 2012, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2012.009.055

Abstract The stability of arteries is essential to normal arterial functions and loss of stability can lead to arterial tortuosity and kinking. Collagen is a main extracellular matrix component that modulates the mechanical properties of arteries and collagen degradation at pathological conditions weakens the mechanical strength of arteries. However, the effects of collagen degradation on the mechanical stability of arteries are unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of collagen degradation on the critical buckling pressure of arteries. Arterial specimens were subjected to pressurized inflation testing and fitted with nonlinear thick-walled cylindrical model equations to determine their… More >

E. Takai¹, R. Landesberg², R.W. Katz², C.T. Hung³, X.E Guo^1,4

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.3, No.1, pp. 1-12, 2006, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2006.003.001

Abstract Osteoblast interactions with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are known to influence many cell functions, which may ultimately affect osseointegration of implants with the host bone tissue. Some adhesion-mediated events include activation of focal adhesion kinase, and subsequent changes in the cytoskeleton and cell morphology, which may lead to changes in adhesion strength and cell responsiveness to mechanical stimuli. In this study we examined focal adhesion kinase activation (FAK), F-actin cytoskeleton reorganization, adhesion strength, and osteoblast responsiveness to fluid shear when adhered to type I collagen (ColI), glass, poly-L-lysine (PLL), fibronectin (FN), vitronectin (VN), and serum (FBS). In general, surfaces that… More >

A.L. Brock, D.E. Ingber¹

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.2, No.3, pp. 135-144, 2005, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2005.002.135

Abstract The direction in which cells extend new motile processes, such as lamellipodia and filopodia, can be controlled by altering the geometry of extracellular matrix adhesive islands on which individual cells are cultured, thereby altering mechanical interactions between cells and the adhesive substrate [Parker (2002)]. Here we specifically investigate the intracellular molecular signals that mediate the mechanism by which cells selectively extend these processes from the corners of polygonal-shaped adhesive islands. Constitutive activation of the small GTPase Rac within cells cultured on square-shaped islands of fibronectin resulted in the elimination of preferential extension from corners. This loss of directionality was accompanied… More >