title: Mechanics in neuronal development and repair.
abstract: Biological cells are well known to respond to a multitude of chemical signals. In the nervous system, chemical signaling has been shown to be crucially involved in development, normal functioning, and disorders of neurons and glial cells. However, there are an increasing number of studies showing that these cells also respond to mechanical cues. Here, we summarize current knowledge about the mechanical properties of nervous tissue and its building blocks, review recent progress in methodology and understanding of cellular mechanosensitivity in the nervous system, and provide an outlook on the implications of neuromechanics for future developments in biomedical engineering to aid overcoming some of the most devastating and currently incurable CNS pathologies such as spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis.
authors: Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK. kf284@cam.ac.uk
authors: Kristian
authors: K
authors: Franze
authors: Paul A
authors: PA
authors: Janmey
authors: Jochen
authors: J
authors: Guck
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001698:Biomedical Engineering / Q000379:methods; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D004548:Elasticity; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000503:physiopathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical