Title:The Underestimated Role of Mechanical Stimuli in Brain Diseases and the Relate d In Vitro Models
VOLUME: 23 ISSUE: 15
Author(s):Tingwang Guo, Peng Ren, Shilei Hao* and Bochu Wang*
Affiliation:Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, No. 174, Shapingba Main Street, Chongqing, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, No. 174, Shapingba Main Street, Chongqing
Keywords:Mechanical stimuli, brain diseases, intracerebral hemorrhage, Alzheimer’s disease, in vitro models, electrophysiological effects.
Abstract:Background: Besides the well-documented biochemical and electrophysiological effects, the mechanical
stimuli also have prominent roles in the initiation and development of brain diseases but yet have been underestimated.
To explore the role of mechanical stimuli and the followed mechanical-biochemical effects in the brain
diseases.
Method: In this review, we discussed the initiation and effect of mechanical stimuli and the surrounding topography
in brain diseases, especially for the intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), diffuse axonal
injury (DAI) and primary brain tumors. The induced cascades of biological pathways by mechanical stimuli
prior to and during the brain diseases were summarized. Strategies aiming to reduce the mechanical stimuli related
damages or poor outcomes were also discussed, despite some could only prevent rather than cure. Literatures
have indicated mechanical stimuli were the connection between the exogenous mechanotransduction and the
inherent biochemical cascades. Therefore, we also reviewed in vitro models in the literatures that simulated the
diverse range of mechanical stimuli, which connected the neural network with the tissue engineering, biomaterials
and potential therapeutic strategies together.
Results: At the microscopic and macroscopic levels, the hydrostatic pressure, tensile/compressive force, shear
force, and even the roughness of topography from the physical surrounding exert the influence on the neural
network not only by themselves but also through the interaction with other factors, e.g. biochemical or electrophysiological
effects.
Conclusion: In the clinical management, taking the undervalued mechanical stimuli and the followed mechanical-
biochemical effects into consideration are important and inevitable in preventing and treating brain diseases.
