title: The Mechanobiology of Aging.
abstract: Aging is a complex, multifaceted process that induces a myriad of physiological changes over an extended period of time. Aging is accompanied by major biochemical and biomechanical changes at macroscopic and microscopic length scales that affect not only tissues and organs but also cells and subcellular organelles. These changes include transcriptional and epigenetic modifications; changes in energy production within mitochondria; and alterations in the overall mechanics of cells, their nuclei, and their surrounding extracellular matrix. In addition, aging influences the ability of cells to sense changes in extracellular-matrix compliance (mechanosensation) and to transduce these changes into biochemical signals (mechanotransduction). Moreover, following a complex positive-feedback loop, aging is accompanied by changes in the composition and structure of the extracellular matrix, resulting in changes in the mechanics of connective tissues in older individuals. Consequently, these progressive dysfunctions facilitate many human pathologies and deficits that are associated with aging, including cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neurodegenerative disorders and diseases. Here, we critically review recent work highlighting some of the primary biophysical changes occurring in cells and tissues that accompany the aging process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218.|Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218.
authors.forename: Jude M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Phillip
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218.|Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218.
authors.forename: Ivie
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aifuwa
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21224.
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walston
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218.|Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218.|Departments of Oncology and Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231.
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wirtz
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000502:physiology; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin
keywords: cellular mechanics; extracellular matrix; mitochondrial dysfunction; nuclear mechanics