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Bioengineering
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Mechanobiology in Biomedical Engineering
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Mechanobiology in Biomedical Engineering

A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2025 | Viewed by 9005

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Chun-Yuh Huang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
Interests: mechanobiology; biomechanics; stem cells; tissue engineering
Dr. Zhipeng Meng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
Interests: tumor microenvironment; tissue fibrosis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advances in mechanobiology research continue to shape our understanding of how physical forces and mechanical properties influence biological processes in living organisms. Mechanobiology has significant implications for various fields. For instance, researchers incorporate mechanical cues into scaffold design and culture environments that promote the growth and differentiation of cells to form functional tissues. Understanding how mechanical forces influence cancer progression, metastasis, and response to treatment can lead to the development of novel cancer therapies and diagnostics. In orthopedics, mechanobiology research on bone and articular cartilage is crucial for developing treatments for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. The knowledge of how mechanical forces affect neuronal development, axon guidance, and neural regeneration is also valuable for understanding neurodegenerative diseases and developing neural implants and tissue engineering approaches for spinal cord injuries. Furthermore, mechanobiology has influenced drug discovery efforts by identifying mechanosensitive drug targets and developing screening assays that incorporate mechanical cues. Finally, understanding the mechanical properties and micromechanical environments of tissues and how they change under different conditions is a fundamental aspect of mechanobiology. In summary, mechanobiology has diverse applications across the fields of biology, medicine, and engineering. Its interdisciplinary approach allows researchers to gain insights into the complex interactions between mechanical forces and biological systems, leading to advancements in healthcare, tissue engineering, and our overall understanding of life processes. In this Special Issue, all original research articles and reviews in mechanobiology are welcome.

Dr. Chun-Yuh Huang
Dr. Zhipeng Meng
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • mechanobiology
  • biomechanics
  • stem cells
  • tissue engineering
  • cancer
  • bone
  • articular cartilage
  • intervertebral disc
  • chondrocytes
  • tumor microenvironment
  • organ fibrosis
  • mechanotransduction

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 4271 KiB  
Article
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Plasticity: What Role Do Culture Conditions and Substrates Play in Shaping Biomechanical Signatures?
by Marina Danalache, Lena Karin Gaa, Charline Burgun, Felix Umrath, Andreas Naros and Dorothea Alexander
Bioengineering 2024, 11(12), 1282; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11121282 - 17 Dec 2024
Viewed by 546
Abstract
Cell functionality, driven by remarkable plasticity, is strongly influenced by mechanical forces that regulate mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) fate. This study explores the biomechanical properties of jaw periosteal cells (JPCs) and induced mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) under different culture conditions. We cultured both [...] Read more.
Cell functionality, driven by remarkable plasticity, is strongly influenced by mechanical forces that regulate mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) fate. This study explores the biomechanical properties of jaw periosteal cells (JPCs) and induced mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) under different culture conditions. We cultured both JPCs and iMSCs (n = 3) under normoxic and hypoxic environments, with and without osteogenic differentiation, and on laminin- or gelatin-coated substrates. Using atomic force microscopy, we measured cellular elasticity and Young’s modulus of calcium phosphate precipitates (CaPPs) formed under osteogenic conditions. Correlation analyses between cellular stiffness, quantity of CaPP deposition, and stiffness of formed CaPPs were evaluated. The results showed that iMSCs, despite their softer cellular consistency, tended to form CaPPs of higher elastic moduli than osteogenically differentiated JPCs. Particularly under normoxic conditions, JPCs formed stronger CaPPs with lower cellular stiffness profiles. Conversely, iMSCs cultivated under hypoxic conditions on laminin-coated surfaces produced stronger CaPPs while maintaining lower cellular stiffness. We conclude that JPCs and iMSCs display distinct biomechanical responses to culture conditions. While JPCs increase cellular stiffness during osteogenic differentiation, in particular under hypoxic conditions, iMSCs exhibit a decrease in stiffness, indicating a higher resistance to lower oxygen levels. In both cell types, a lower cellular stiffness profile correlates with enhanced mineralization, indicating that this biomechanical fingerprint serves as a critical marker for osteogenic differentiation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanobiology in Biomedical Engineering)
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11 pages, 3273 KiB  
Article
Mechanical Stretch Control of Adipocyte AKT Signaling and the Role of FAK and ROCK Mechanosensors
by Tasneem Bouzid, Eunju Kim, Brandon D. Riehl, Ruiguo Yang, Viswanathan Saraswathi, Jason K. Kim and Jung Yul Lim
Bioengineering 2024, 11(12), 1279; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11121279 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 715
Abstract
Adipose tissue in vivo is physiologically exposed to compound mechanical loading due to bodyweight bearing, posture, and motion. The capability of adipocytes to sense and respond to mechanical loading milieus to influence metabolic functions may provide a new insight into obesity and metabolic [...] Read more.
Adipose tissue in vivo is physiologically exposed to compound mechanical loading due to bodyweight bearing, posture, and motion. The capability of adipocytes to sense and respond to mechanical loading milieus to influence metabolic functions may provide a new insight into obesity and metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). Here, we evidenced physiological mechanical loading control of adipocyte insulin signaling cascades. We exposed differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes to mechanical stretching and assessed key markers of insulin signaling, AKT activation, and GLUT4 translocation, required for glucose uptake. We showed that cyclic stretch loading at 5% strain and 1 Hz frequency increases AKT phosphorylation and GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane by approximately two-fold increases compared to unstretched controls for both markers as assessed by immunoblotting (p < 0.05). These results indicate that cyclic stretching activates insulin signaling and GLUT4 trafficking in adipocytes. In the mechanosensing mechanism study, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor (FAK14) and RhoA kinase (ROCK) inhibitor (Y-27632) impaired actin cytoskeleton structural formation and significantly suppressed the stretch induction of AKT phosphorylation in adipocytes (p < 0.001). This suggests the regulatory role of focal adhesion and cytoskeletal mechanosensing in adipocyte insulin signaling under stretch loading. Our finding on the impact of mechanical stretch loading on key insulin signaling effectors in differentiated adipocytes and the mediatory role of focal adhesion and cytoskeleton mechanosensors is the first of its kind to our knowledge. This may suggest a therapeutic potential of mechanical loading cue in improving conditions of obesity and T2D. For instance, cyclic mechanical stretch loading of adipose tissue could be explored as a tool to improve insulin sensitivity in patients with obesity and T2D, and the mediatory mechanosensors such as FAK and ROCK may be targeted to further invigorate stretch-induced insulin signaling activation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanobiology in Biomedical Engineering)
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13 pages, 5606 KiB  
Article
Influence of Bone Conditions on the Accuracy of Implant Placement
by Zhicheng Gong, Yuyin Shen, Shengcai Qi, Lai Cao, Xinyi Fan, Chunhui Lu and Jue Wang
Bioengineering 2024, 11(11), 1161; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11111161 - 18 Nov 2024
Viewed by 824
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the influence of cortical bone thickness, bone density, and residual ridge morphology in the posterior mandibular area on the accuracy of implant placement using tooth-supported digital guides. The research included 75 implants from 55 patients. Each patient underwent [...] Read more.
This study aimed to assess the influence of cortical bone thickness, bone density, and residual ridge morphology in the posterior mandibular area on the accuracy of implant placement using tooth-supported digital guides. The research included 75 implants from 55 patients. Each patient underwent a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan for image analysis. Simplant® Pro 17 software (SIMPLANT Pro 17.01) was utilized to measure cortical bone thickness, bone density, and residual ridge morphology at the implant sites. Subsequently, 3Shape Trios software (3Shape TRIOS Design Studio 1.7.19.0) was applied to delineate optimal implant positions and design tooth-supported surgical guides. After implant treatment, the linear and angular deviations from the planned placement were quantified. Multiple linear regression, Kruskal–Wallis test, Conover–Iman test, and Bonferroni adjustment were conducted to investigate the impact of bone characteristics on implant placement precision. The tooth-supported digital guides used in this study were sufficient to fulfill the precision criteria for implant treatment. Bone density was found to significantly influence the buccal-lingual angular deviation, mesio-distal linear deviation, and mesio-distal angular deviation (p < 0.05). Additionally, significant variances were noted in the coronal deviation, apical deviation and depth deviation in buccal-lingual orientation, coronal deviation, and apical deviation in mesio-distal orientation across various residual ridge morphologies (p < 0.05). Low bone density and S-shape morphology may affect the accuracy of implant placement using tooth-supported surgical guides. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanobiology in Biomedical Engineering)
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17 pages, 2502 KiB  
Article
Impact of Uniaxial Static Strain on Myoblast Differentiation in Collagen-Coated PCL Microfilament Scaffolds: Role of Onset Time of Mechanical Stimulation
by María Laura Espinoza-Álvarez, Laura Rojas-Rojas, Johan Morales-Sánchez and Teodolito Guillén-Girón
Bioengineering 2024, 11(9), 919; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11090919 - 13 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1366
Abstract
Tissue engineering endeavors to create in vitro constructs that replicate the properties of native tissue, such as skeletal muscle. This study investigated the use of mechanical stimulation to promote myogenic differentiation and enhance the functionality of bioengineered tissues. Specifically, it aimed to facilitate [...] Read more.
Tissue engineering endeavors to create in vitro constructs that replicate the properties of native tissue, such as skeletal muscle. This study investigated the use of mechanical stimulation to promote myogenic differentiation and enhance the functionality of bioengineered tissues. Specifically, it aimed to facilitate the differentiation of myoblasts within a three-dimensional scaffold using a defined pattern of mechanical stimulation. C2C12 cells were cultured on a collagen-coated PCL microfilament scaffold and subjected to 24 h of uniaxial static strain using a biomechanical stimulation system. Two onset times of stimulation, 72 h and 120 h post-seeding, were evaluated. Cell proliferation, myogenic marker expression, and alterations in cell morphology and orientation were assessed. Results indicate that static strain on the scaffold promoted myoblast differentiation, evidenced by morphological and molecular changes. Notably, strain initiated at 72 h induced an early differentiation stage marked by MyoD expression, whereas stimulation beginning at 120 h led to a mid-stage differentiation characterized by the co-expression of MyoD and Myogenin, culminating in myotube formation. These results highlight the critical influence of myoblast maturity at the time of strain application on the differentiation outcome. This study provides insights that could guide the optimization of mechanical stimulation protocols in tissue engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanobiology in Biomedical Engineering)
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27 pages, 3646 KiB  
Article
Comparative Biomechanical Stability of the Fixation of Different Miniplates in Restorative Laminoplasty after Laminectomy: A Finite Element Study
by Guoyin Liu, Weiqian Huang, Nannan Leng, Peng He, Xin Li, Muliang Lin, Zhonghua Lian, Yong Wang, Jianmin Chen and Weihua Cai
Bioengineering 2024, 11(5), 519; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11050519 - 20 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1516
Abstract
A novel H-shaped miniplate (HSM) was specifically designed for restorative laminoplasties to restore patients’ posterior elements after laminectomies. A validated finite element (FE) model of L2/4 was utilized to create a laminectomy model, as well as three restorative laminoplasty models based on the [...] Read more.
A novel H-shaped miniplate (HSM) was specifically designed for restorative laminoplasties to restore patients’ posterior elements after laminectomies. A validated finite element (FE) model of L2/4 was utilized to create a laminectomy model, as well as three restorative laminoplasty models based on the fixation of different miniplates after a laminectomy (the RL-HSM model, the RL-LSM model, and the RL-THM model). The biomechanical effects of motion and displacement on a laminectomy and restorative laminoplasty with three different shapes for the fixation of miniplates were compared under the same mechanical conditions. This study aimed to validate the biomechanical stability, efficacy, and feasibility of a restorative laminoplasty with the fixation of miniplates post laminectomy. The laminectomy model demonstrated the greatest increase in motion and displacement, especially in axial rotation, followed by extension, flexion, and lateral bending. The restorative laminoplasty was exceptional in preserving the motion and displacement of surgical segments when compared to the intact state. This preservation was particularly evident in lateral bending and flexion/extension, with a slight maintenance efficacy observed in axial rotation. Compared to the laminectomy model, the restorative laminoplasties with the investigated miniplates demonstrated a motion-limiting effect for all directions and resulted in excellent stability levels under axial rotation and flexion/extension. The greatest reduction in motion and displacement was observed in the RL-HSM model, followed by the RL-LSM model and then the RL-THM model. When comparing the fixation of different miniplates in restorative laminoplasties, the HSMs were found to be superior to the LSMs and THMs in maintaining postoperative stability, particularly in axial rotation. The evidence suggests that a restorative laminoplasty with the fixation of miniplates is more effective than a conventional laminectomy due to the biomechanical effects of restoring posterior elements, which helps patients regain motion and limit load displacement responses in the spine after surgery, especially in axial rotation and flexion/extension. Additionally, our evaluation in this research study could benefit from further research and provide a methodological and modeling basis for the design and optimization of restorative laminoplasties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanobiology in Biomedical Engineering)
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19 pages, 4280 KiB  
Article
Validation and Estimation of Obesity-Induced Intervertebral Disc Degeneration through Subject-Specific Finite Element Modelling of Functional Spinal Units
by Nitesh Kumar Singh, Nishant K. Singh, Rati Verma and Ashish D. Diwan
Bioengineering 2024, 11(4), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11040344 - 31 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1596
Abstract
(1) Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration has been linked to obesity; its potential mechanical effects on the intervertebral disc remain unknown. This study aimed to develop and validate a patient-specific model of L3–L4 vertebrae and then use the model to estimate the impact of [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration has been linked to obesity; its potential mechanical effects on the intervertebral disc remain unknown. This study aimed to develop and validate a patient-specific model of L3–L4 vertebrae and then use the model to estimate the impact of increasing body weight on disc degeneration. (2) Methods: A three-dimensional model of the functional spinal unit of L3–L4 vertebrae and its components were developed and validated. Validation was achieved by comparing the range of motions (RoM) and intradiscal pressures with the previous literature. Subsequently, the validated model was loaded according to the body mass index and estimated stress, deformation, and RoM to assess disc degeneration. (3) Results: During validation, L3–L4 RoM and intradiscal pressures: flexion 5.17° and 1.04 MPa, extension 1.54° and 0.22 MPa, lateral bending 3.36° and 0.54 MPa, axial rotation 1.14° and 0.52 MPa, respectively. When investigating the impact of weight on disc degeneration, escalating from normal weight to obesity reveals an increased RoM, by 3.44% during flexion, 22.7% during extension, 29.71% during lateral bending, and 33.2% during axial rotation, respectively. Also, stress and disc deformation elevated with increasing weight across all RoM. (4) Conclusions: The predicted mechanical responses of the developed model closely matched the validation dataset. The validated model predicts disc degeneration under increased weight and could lay the foundation for future recommendations aimed at identifying predictors of lower back pain due to disc degeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanobiology in Biomedical Engineering)
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16 pages, 8586 KiB  
Article
Development of an Anisotropic Hyperelastic Material Model for Porcine Colorectal Tissues
by Youssef Fahmy, Mohamed B. Trabia, Brian Ward, Lucas Gallup and Mary Froehlich
Bioengineering 2024, 11(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11010064 - 8 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1464
Abstract
Many colonic surgeries include colorectal anastomoses whose leaks may be life-threatening, affecting thousands of patients annually. Various studies propose that mechanical interaction between the staples and neighboring tissues may play an important role in anastomotic leakage. Therefore, understanding the mechanical behavior of colorectal [...] Read more.
Many colonic surgeries include colorectal anastomoses whose leaks may be life-threatening, affecting thousands of patients annually. Various studies propose that mechanical interaction between the staples and neighboring tissues may play an important role in anastomotic leakage. Therefore, understanding the mechanical behavior of colorectal tissue is essential to characterizing the reasons for this type of failure. So far, experimental data characterizing the mechanical properties of colorectal tissue have been few and inconsistent, which has significantly limited understanding their behavior. This research proposes an approach to developing an anisotropic hyperelastic material model for colorectal tissues based on uniaxial testing of freshly harvested porcine specimens, which were collected from several age- and weight-matched pigs. The specimens were extracted from the same colon tract of each pig along their circumferential and longitudinal orientations. We propose a constitutive model combining Yeoh isotropic hyperelastic material with fibers oriented in two directions to account for the hyperelastic and anisotropic nature of colorectal tissues. Experimental data were used to accurately determine the model’s coefficients (circumferential, R2 = 0.9968; longitudinal, R2 = 0.9675). The results show that the proposed model can be incorporated into a finite element model that can simulate procedures such as colorectal anastomoses reliably. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanobiology in Biomedical Engineering)
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