Mechanobiology of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs)

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are self-renewing cells with multidirectional differentiation potential. As the origin of osteogenic cell lineage, BM-MSCs are key cells involved in maintaining bone homeostasis and bone health. Research has illustrated the importance of mechanical stimuli in regulating the function of BM-MSCs. Mechanical loading, such as compression, tension forces, substrate stiffness (SS), fluid shear stress (FSS), hydrostatic pressure (HP), and vibration, promotes osteogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs, while mechanical unloading, such as prolonged bed rest, random positioning machine (RPM), and space flight, inhibits osteogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs, promoting adipogenic or chondrogenic differentiation. In this chapter, based on the brief introduction of the biological characteristics and functions of BM-MSCs, we present research on the mechanism of mechanical stimuli regulating differentiation of BM-MSCs.