Biomechanical cues as master regulators of hematopoietic stem cell fate

• Published in: Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS Vol. 78; no. 16; pp. 5881 - 5902
• Main Authors: Li, Honghu, Luo, Qian, Shan, Wei, Cai, Shuyang, Tie, Ruxiu, Xu, Yulin, Lin, Yu, Qian, Pengxu, Huang, He
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.08.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: adhesion; adults; Animals; Biochemistry; Biomechanical Phenomena - physiology; Biomechanics; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; blood; Cell Biology; Cell Differentiation - physiology; Cell fate; Cellular communication; Cues; Embryos; Extracellular matrix; Extracellular Matrix - physiology; Hematopoietic stem cells; Hematopoietic Stem Cells - physiology; Humans; Life Sciences; Mechanical control; mechanical stress; Mechanotransduction; Mechanotransduction, Cellular - physiology; Microenvironments; Review; Signal Transduction - physiology; Stem cells; Stiffness; Stress, Mechanical; Mechanical forces; Cilium; Mechanosensor; Cell–cell adhesions; HSC; Cytoskeleton; Biomechanical factors
• ISSN: 1420-682X; 1420-9071; 1420-9071
• DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03882-y

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) perceive both soluble signals and biomechanical inputs from their microenvironment and cells themselves. Emerging as critical regulators of the blood program, biomechanical cues such as extracellular matrix stiffness, fluid mechanical stress, confined adhesiveness, and cell-intrinsic forces modulate multiple capacities of HSCs through mechanotransduction. In recent years, research has furthered the scientific community’s perception of mechano-based signaling networks in the regulation of several cellular processes. However, the underlying molecular details of the biomechanical regulatory paradigm in HSCs remain poorly elucidated and researchers are still lacking in the ability to produce bona fide HSCs ex vivo for clinical use. This review presents an overview of the mechanical control of both embryonic and adult HSCs, discusses some recent insights into the mechanisms of mechanosensing and mechanotransduction, and highlights the application of mechanical cues aiming at HSC expansion or differentiation.