Temporal Cell Morphology Responses to Mechanical Stimulation

Many cells respond to mechanical stimulation by changing their morphology, such as elongation and alignment [1–2]. Studies investigating cell responses to mechanical stimulation are often conducted immediately after unloading [1]. Most tissue engineering studies, however, apply mechanical stimulation with intermittent resting periods and monitor the long term cell reactions. In the current study, we examine the cell morphology change in response to mechanical loading with a 24 hour recovery time. Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were subjected to dynamic tensile or compressive loadings and their morphological changes were compared to those under static loads. A delayed response was found, in addition to changes in active RhoA signals.