Abstract:

Stem cell differentiation is regulated by a diverse array of extracellular cues. Recent evidence suggests that mechanical interactions between extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell surface receptors as well as physical interactions between neighboring cells play important roles in stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. It is also becoming clear that the ECM effects cellular behavior through many physical mechanisms, such as ECM geometry, elasticity, and the propagation of mechanical signals to intracellular compartments. Considerable effort is being targeted at developing biomaterials that exploit cellular microenvironments in guiding cells to desired phenotypes and organizing these into functional tissues. Improved understanding of the interactions between stem cells and their physical environment should yield new insight into the mechanisms governing their activity and allow the fabrication of artificial ECM to promote tissue development.