Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40337625›Full record

ReviewRegenerative biomaterials2025

Analytical methods in studying cell force sensing: principles, current technologies and perspectives.

Xiaojun Liu, Lei Yu, Adam Xiao, Wenxu Sun, Han Wang, Xiangxiu Wang, Yanghao Zhou, Chao Li, Jiangtao Li, Yongliang Wang and 1 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Regenerative biomaterials, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
16citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

16 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Hepatoprotective effects of ginsenoside RbChinese herbal medicines · 2026
    Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Detection of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Aging Using an Integrin Mechano-Probe.Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · 2026
    Article
  9. Review
  10. Review
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Article
  14. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Xiaojun LiuCollege of Life Sciences and Health, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266113, China.
Lei YuDepartment of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao Special Service Sanatorium of PLA Navy, Qingdao 266071, China.
Adam XiaoDepartment of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada.
Wenxu SunSchool of Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China.
Han WangState Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology and Instruments, School of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
Xiangxiu WangKey Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
Yanghao ZhouKey Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
Chao LiCollege of Life Sciences and Health, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266113, China.
Jiangtao LiCollege of Life Sciences and Health, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266113, China.
Yongliang WangCollege of Life Sciences and Health, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266113, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5480-9927
Guixue WangKey Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Mechanical stimulation plays a crucial role in numerous biological activities, including tissue development, regeneration and remodeling. Understanding how cells respond to their mechanical microenvironment is vital for investigating mechanotransduction with adequate spatial and temporal resolution. Cell force sensing-also known as mechanosensation or mechanotransduction-involves force transmission through the cytoskeleton and mechanochemical signaling. Insights into cell-extracellular matrix interactions and mechanotransduction are particularly relevant for guiding biomaterial design in tissue engineering. To establish a foundation for mechanical biomedicine, this review will provide a comprehensive overview of cell mechanotransduction mechanisms, including the structural components essential for effective mechanical responses, such as cytoskeletal elements, force-sensitive ion channels, membrane receptors and key signaling pathways. It will also discuss the clutch model in force transmission, the role of mechanotransduction in both physiology and pathological contexts, and biomechanics and biomaterial design. Additionally, we outline analytical approaches for characterizing forces at cellular and subcellular levels, discussing the advantages and limitations of each method to aid researchers in selecting appropriate techniques. Finally, we summarize recent advancements in cell force sensing and identify key challenges for future research. Overall, this review should contribute to biomedical engineering by supporting the design of biomaterials that integrate precise mechanical information.

Indexed as

biomaterial–cell interactionbiomaterial designbiosensorcell biomechanics

Identifiers

PMID40337625
PMCPMC12057814

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.