"Looping In" Mechanics: Mechanobiologic Regulation of the Nucleus and the Epigenome

Abstract

Cells respond to physical cues in their microenvironment. These cues result in changes in cell behavior, some of which are transient, and others of which are permanent. Understanding and leveraging permanent alteration of cell behavior induced by mechanical cues, or "mechanical memories," is an important aim in cell and tissue engineering. Herein, this paper reviews the existing literature outlining how cells may store memories of biophysical cues with a specific focus on the nucleus, the storehouse of information in eukaryotic cells. In particular, this review details mechanically driven adaptations in nuclear structure and genome organization and outlines potential mechanisms by which mechanical memories may be encoded within the structure and organization of the nucleus and chromatin.

Keywords: cell nuclei; chromatin; mechanical memories; mechanobiology.