Mechanome-Guided Strategies in Regenerative Rehabilitation

Curr Opin Biomed Eng. 2024 Mar:29:100516. doi: 10.1016/j.cobme.2023.100516. Epub 2023 Nov 30.

Abstract

Regenerative Rehabilitation represents a multifaceted approach that merges mechanobiology with therapeutic intervention to harness the body's intrinsic tissue repair and regeneration capacity. This review delves into the intricate interplay between mechanical loading and cellular responses in the context of musculoskeletal tissue healing. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the phases involved in translating mechanical forces into biochemical responses at the cellular level. The review paper also covers the mechanosensitivity of macrophages, fibroblasts, and mesenchymal stem cells, which play a crucial role during regenerative rehabilitation since these cells exhibit unique mechanoresponsiveness during different stages of the tissue healing process. Understanding how mechanical loading amplitude and frequency applied during regenerative rehabilitation influences macrophage polarization, fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT), and mesenchymal stem cell differentiation is crucial for developing effective therapies for musculoskeletal tissues. In conclusion, this review underscores the significance of mechanome-guided strategies in regenerative rehabilitation. By exploring the mechanosensitivity of different cell types and their responses to mechanical loading, this field offers promising avenues for accelerating tissue healing and functional recovery, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for individuals with musculoskeletal injuries and degenerative diseases.

Keywords: Cell-specificity; Fibroblast; Macrophages; Mechanical Forces; Mechanical Loading; Mechanome; Mechanotherapy; Mechanotransduction; Musculoskeletal tissues; Myofibroblast; Regenerative Rehabilitation; Stem Cells.