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.
Cell-matrix feedback 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
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), 2025