Unlocking the therapeutic potential of cellular mechanobiology
Yohalie Kalukula, Giuseppe Ciccone, Danahé Mohammed, Anthony Procès, Marie Versaevel, Amandine Deridoux, Lucie Ergot, Zoé Barbier, Mina Mansy, Roxane Aucouturier, Rémi Tranzer, Mathieu Surin, Sylvain Gabriele, Marine Luciano
Abstract
Mechanobiology is a rapidly advancing field at the intersection of biology, physics, and engineering that reveals how mechanical forces shape cellular behavior, tissue architecture, and disease progression. By elucidating how cells sense and transduce mechanical cues, mechanobiology has fundamentally advanced our understanding of processes ranging from migration and differentiation to immune responses and tissue remodeling. These advances have driven the development of innovative biophysical tools and engineered biomaterials that enable precise modulation of the cellular microenvironment. Translating mechanobiological principles into clinical practice is giving rise to mechanomedicine, a previously unrecognized paradigm that integrates mechanical forces as key modulators of health and disease. This review highlights how mechanobiology informs therapeutic strategies across diverse domains, including cancer immunotherapy, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders, and regenerative medicine. By bridging fundamental discoveries with translational applications, this review positions mechanobiology as a cornerstone of next-generation medical innovation, translating mechanistic insights into impactful clinical applications.