title: The effect of mechanical loads in the differentiation of precursor cells into mature cells.
abstract: Stem cell differentiation, both in vivo and in vitro, is regulated by a variety of signals. These signals can be of biochemical origin, such as those from growth factors and cytokines, or from different mechanical loads, such as fluid shear stress and matrix elasticity. The mechanisms by which the mechanical loads affect precursor cell differentiation are not entirely understood, but their role in regenerative medicine and cell therapy could be of vast importance. This paper reviews the role of mechanical loads on the differentiation of precursor cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. dalitr@eng.tau.ac.il
authors.forename: Dalit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shav
authors.forename: Shmuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Einav
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological