Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P. R. China.
Curr Stem Cell Res Ther. 2013 Jul;8(4):313-23. doi: 10.2174/1574888x11308040007.
Stem cells have the ability to self-renew and to differentiate into multiple mature cell types during early life and growth. Stem cells adhesion, proliferation, migration and differentiation are affected by biochemical, mechanical and physical surface properties of the surrounding matrix in which stem cells reside and stem cells can sensitively feel and respond to the microenvironment of this matrix. More and more researches have proven that three dimensional (3D) culture can reduce the gap between cell culture and physiological environment where cells always live in vivo. This review summarized recent findings on the studies of matrix mechanics that control stem cells (primarily mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)) fate in 3D environment, including matrix stiffness and extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness. Considering the exchange of oxygen and nutrients in 3D culture, the effect of fluid shear stress (FSS) on fate decision of stem cells was also discussed in detail. Further, the difference of MSCs response to matrix stiffness between two dimensional (2D) and 3D conditions was compared. Finally, the mechanism of mechanotransduction of stem cells activated by matrix mechanics and FSS in 3D culture was briefly pointed out.
干细胞具有自我更新的能力，并能在生命早期和生长过程中分化为多种成熟细胞类型。干细胞的黏附、增殖、迁移和分化受到周围基质生化、力学和物理表面特性的影响，而干细胞能敏感地感知和响应基质的微环境。越来越多的研究证明，三维（3D）培养可以减少细胞培养与细胞在体内始终所处的生理环境之间的差距。本综述总结了基质力学控制干细胞（主要是间充质干细胞（MSCs））在 3D 环境中命运的最新研究发现，包括基质硬度和细胞外基质（ECM）硬度。考虑到 3D 培养中的氧气和营养物质交换，还详细讨论了流体切应力（FSS）对干细胞命运决定的影响。此外，比较了 MSCs 在二维（2D）和 3D 条件下对基质硬度的响应差异。最后，简要指出了 3D 培养中基质力学和 FSS 激活干细胞的力学转导机制。
