ArticleBMC research notes2020
Mechanical stimulation of human dermal fibroblasts regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines: potential insight into soft tissue manual therapies.
Article in BMC research notes, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
17 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Efficacy of Myofascial Release Therapy and Related Soft-Tissue Techniques for Pain in Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.Journal of oral rehabilitation · 2026Pooled it
- Guideline
- Technologies to investigate the mechanisms of force-based manipulations: a narrative methods review.Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Critical-Size Muscle Defect Regeneration Using an Injectable Cell-Laden Nanofibrous Matrix: An Ex Vivo Mouse Hindlimb Organ Culture Study.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025Article
- Review
- Soft tissue manipulation enhances recovery of muscle mass in a disuse model of sarcopenia.Journal of osteopathic medicine · 2025Article
- Rheumatoid hand massage therapy to mitigate sarcopenia and improve patients' quality of life: a hypothesis.Rheumatology international · 2025Review
- [Effect of mechanical stimuli on physicochemical properties of joint fluid in osteoarthritis].Zhongguo xiu fu chong jian wai ke za zhi = Zhongguo xiufu chongjian waike zazhi = Chinese journal of reparative and reconstructive surgery · 2025Review
- Massage therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.Rheumatology international · 2025Review
- Biophysical aspects of mechanotransduction in cells and their physiological/biological implications in vocal fold vibration: a narrative review.Frontiers in cell and developmental biology · 2025Review
- Review
- Positive psychological effects of seated acupressure massage are associated with a rise in plasma oxytocin without affecting CGRP levels or circulating IL-6.Comprehensive psychoneuroendocrinology · 2024Article
- Soft Tissue Manipulation Alters RANTES/CCL5 and IL-4 Cytokine Levels in a Rat Model of Chronic Low Back Pain.International journal of molecular sciences · 2023Article
- Mechanisms Underlying Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Cancer Properties of Stretching-A Review.International journal of molecular sciences · 2022Review
- Endogenous production of hyaluronan, PRG4, and cytokines is sensitive to cyclic loading in synoviocytes.PloS one · 2022Article
- Expert Consensus on the Contraindications and Cautions of Foam Rolling-An International Delphi Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2021Article
- Osteopathy and Mental Health: An Embodied, Predictive, and Interoceptive Framework.Frontiers in psychology · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveSoft tissue manual therapies are commonly utilized by osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists and massage therapists. These techniques are predicated on subjecting tissues to biophysical mechanical stimulation but the cellular and molecular mechanism(s) mediating these effects are poorly understood. Previous studies established an in vitro model system for examining mechanical stimulation of dermal fibroblasts and established that cyclical strain, intended to mimic overuse injury, induces secretion of numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, mechanical strain intended to mimic soft tissue manual therapy reduces strain-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Here, we sought to partially confirm and extend these reports and provide independent corroboration of prior results.
resultsUsing cultures of primary human dermal fibroblasts, we confirm cyclical mechanical strain increases levels of IL-6 and adding long-duration stretch, intended to mimic therapeutic soft tissue stimulation, after cyclical strain results in lower IL-6 levels. We also extend the prior work, reporting that long-duration stretch results in lower levels of IL-8. Although there are important limitations to this experimental model, these findings provide supportive evidence that therapeutic soft tissue stimulation may reduce levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Future work is required to address these open questions and advance the mechanistic understanding of therapeutic soft tissue stimulation.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.