Cell Mechanical Memory
The ability of cells to "remember" mechanical signals long after those signals have ceased represents a significant, yet underexplored, aspect of cellular behavior. We have recently demonstrated that static stretching of tissues composed of fibroblasts within a 3D fibrous matrix can induce mechanical memory in these cells. This memory results in long-term changes to their actomyosin contractility levels, depending on factors such as the magnitude and duration of the stretching, as well as the physical properties of the matrix.
Matrix softening controls stretch-induced cellular memory and fibroblast activation
Y Hong, X Peng, H Yu, M Jafari, D Shakiba, Y Huang, C Qu, EE Melika, AK Tawadros, A Mujahid, J Sandler, KM Pryse, JM Sacks, EL Elson, GM Genin, F Alisafaei
To Appear (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)), 2024