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Publications

Journal Article Review Epublish

PubMed: 40282211 DOI: 10.3390/biology14040346

Mechanotransduction in Development: A Focus on Angiogenesis.

Biology (Basel) 14(4)

Authors: Simona Alibrandi, Carmela Rinaldi, Sergio Lucio Vinci, Alfredo Conti, Luigi Donato, Concetta Scimone, Antonina Sidoti, Rosalia D'Angelo

Affiliations

  • Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Street Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy.
  • Department of Biomolecular Strategies, Genetics, Cutting-Edge Therapies, Istituto Euro-Mediterraneo di Scienza e Tecnologia (I.E.ME.S.T.), Street Michele Miraglia 20, 90139 Palermo, Italy.
  • Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Street Consolare Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy.
  • IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Street Altura 3, 40123 Bologna, Italy.
  • Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences (DiBiNeM), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy.

Abstract

Cells respond to external mechanical cues and transduce these forces into biological signals. This process is known as mechanotransduction and requires a group of proteins called mechanosensors. This peculiar class of receptors include extracellular matrix proteins, plasma membrane proteins, the cytoskeleton and the nuclear envelope. These cell components are responsive to a wide spectrum of physical cues including stiffness, tensile force, hydrostatic pressure and shear stress. Among mechanotransducers, the Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) and the PIEZO family members are mechanosensitive ion channels, coupling force transduction with intracellular cation transport. Their activity contributes to embryo development, tissue remodeling and repair, and cell homeostasis. In particular, vessel development is driven by hemodynamic cues such as flow direction and shear stress. Perturbed mechanotransduction is involved in several pathological vascular phenotypes including hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. This review is conceived to summarize the most recent findings of mechanotransduction in development. We first collected main features of mechanosensitive proteins. However, we focused on the role of mechanical cues during development. Mechanosensitive ion channels and their function in vascular development are also discussed, with a focus on brain vessel morphogenesis.

MeSH

Cells, Stress, Physiological, Ion Channels, Angiogenesis