We studied centrifugation-mediated mechanical stress-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production in the monocyte-like cell line THP-1. The induction of TNF-alpha by mechanical stress was dependent on the centrifugation speed and produced the highest level of TNF-alpha after 1 h of stimulation. TNF-alpha production returned to normal levels after 24 h of stimulation. Mechanical st...

C-mechanoreceptors in humans comprise a population of unmyelinated afferents exhibiting a wide range of mechanical sensitivities. C-mechanoreceptors are putatively divided into those signaling gentle touch (C-tactile afferents, CTs) and nociception (C-mechanosensitive nociceptors, CMs), giving rise to positive and negative affect, respectively. We sought to distinguish, compare, and contrast th...

B lymphocytes use B cell receptors (BCRs) to sense the physical features of the antigens. However, the sensitivity and threshold for the activation of BCRs resulting from the stimulation by mechanical forces are unknown. Here, we addressed this question using a double-stranded DNA-based tension gauge tether system serving as a predefined mechanical force gauge ranging from 12 to 56 pN. We obser...

Physical forces play important roles in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and death by activating intracellular signal transduction pathways. How cells sense mechanical stimulation, however, is largely unknown. Most studies focus on cellular membrane proteins such as ion channels, integrins, and receptors for growth factors as mechanosensory units. Here we show that mechanical str...

Signal transduction pathways activated by chemoattractants have been extensively studied, but little is known about the events mediating responses to mechanical stimuli. We discovered that acute mechanical perturbation of cells triggered transient activation of all tested components of the chemotactic signal transduction network, as well as actin polymerization. Similarly to chemoattractants, t...

Klöcker A, Gueorguiev D, Thonnard JL, Mouraux A. Peripheral vs. central determinants of vibrotactile adaptation. J Neurophysiol 115: 685–691, 2016. First published November 18, 2015; doi:10.1152/jn.00519.2015.—Long-lasting mechanical vibrations applied to the skin induce a reversible decrease in the perception of vibration at the stimulated skin site. This phenomenon of vibrotactile adaptation ...

The authors aim to develop muscle cell actuators driven by a photostimulation. Recently, bioactuators that exhibit self-organization have been attracting a lot of attention, because biological devices are expected to have significant abilities such as self-reproduction, self-repair, self-assembly. Based on this consideration, we have developed a myofilament-actuator, where we have utilized effe...

Background: Integrin-associated protein (IAP) /CD47, a member of immunoglobulin super family (IgSF), is expressed in a variety of cell types. In the present work, the expression pattern of IAP/ CD47 in normal and osteoarthritis (OA) human articular cartilage and its role in mechanotransduction pathway following mechanical stimulation have been studied. Methods: Using immunohistochemistry and st...

The study of gravitropism is hindered by the fact that as a root responds, the gravitational stimulus changes. Using a feedback system to connect a rotating stage platform to a video digitizer system, we were able to maintain a constant angle of gravistimulation to Arabidopsis roots for long time periods. The rate of curvature approximated the sine rule for angles of stimulation between 20 degr...