The Effects of Stiffness, Fluid Viscosity, and Geometry of Microenvironment in Homeostasis, Aging, and Diseases: A Brief Review

Abstract

Cells sense biophysical cues in the micro-environment and respond to the cues biochemically and biophysically. Proper responses from cells are critical to maintain the homeostasis in the body. Abnormal biophysical cues will cause pathological development in the cells; pathological or aging cells, on the other hand, can alter their micro-environment to become abnormal. In this minireview, we discuss four important biophysical cues of the micro-environment—stiffness, curvature, extracellular matrix (ECM) architecture and viscosity—in terms of their roles in health, aging, and diseases.