Effects of mechanical stresses on neural differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

BACKGROUND: Currently, regulation of stem cell differentiation by mechanical stresses or microenvironment has become a popular issue in the tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. OBJECTIVE: To review the progress in the effects of mechanical stress on neural differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in the last decade, providing theoretical basis for stem cell replacement therapy in the treatment of degenerative diseases. METHODS: A search of Web of Science and PubMed database was done to retrieve articles addressing the effects of mechanical stresses on the neural differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. After systematical analysis and summarization, 104 articles were finally selected and analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Mechanical stimulation and extracellular physical environment factors have important influence on the neural differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells from the bone marrow, adipose tissues, dental pulp and endometrium. PI3K-AKT-mTOR, Wnt/beta-catenin, Rho, MAPK signaling pathways may be involved in the mechanical stresses regulated neural differentiation. However, the clear molecular mechanism needs further studies.