Wenhui Hu¹, Yun Wang¹, Jin Chen¹, Yonggang Song¹, Jinhua Long¹, Zhu Zeng^1,*

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.16, Suppl.2, pp. 67-67, 2019, DOI:10.32604/mcb.2019.07083

Abstract The responses of dendritic cells (DCs) to the mechanical microenvironment caused by implanted materials are highly correlated to the host immune responses and largely determines the outcome of tissue regeneration [1,2]. In the early stage of the inflammations following injury or implantation, a large amount of fibrin would deposit around the implanted materials and form a microporous fibrous-liked network structure, which can provide mechanical microenvironment with different spatial confinement in dimensions for following recruited DCs. Herein, we have established a useful model by salmon fibrin to mimic the deposited fibrin matrix and found that DCs cultured on or in fibrin… More >

Lihai Zhang^*, Bruce S. Gardiner^*, David W. Smith^*, Peter Pivonka^*, Alan Grodzinsky^†

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.5, No.2, pp. 133-154, 2008, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2008.005.133

Abstract Cartilage maintains its integrity in a hostile mechanical environment. This task is made more difficult because cartilage has no blood supply, and so nutrients and growth factors need to be transported greater distances than normal to reach cells several millimetres from the cartilage surface. The chondrocytes embedded within the extracellular matrix (ECM) are essential for maintaining the mechanical integrity of the ECM, through a balance of degradation and synthesis of collagen and proteoglycans. A chondrocyte senses various chemical and mechanical signals in its local microenvironment, responding by appropriate adaption of the local ECM. Clearly a 'systems understanding' of cartilage behaviour… 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 >