Matrix Stiffness Regulation of Macrophage Function

Abstract

Macrophages are found throughout the body, engulfing microorganisms and cell debris, while coordinating inflammatory responses to maintain tissue homeostasis. As macrophages patrol within different organs and tissues, they are exposed not only to a variety of biochemical cues, but also to mechanical cues, such as tissue stiffness. More and more studies have shown that macrophages can sense changes in microenvironment stiffness, but little is known about the molecular mechanism of how stiffness regulates macrophage function. The 2020 Nobel Prize-winning mechanically-sensitive ion channels the transient receptor potential channel subfamily V member 4 (TRPV4) and Piezo1 are of widespread interest. Research suggests that Piezo1 and TRPV4 on macrophages can sense matrix stiffness in the microenvironment and convert it into biochemical signals to activate specific cellular effector functions. These findings help us better understand how microenvironment stiffness affects macrophage behavior, which may be associated with diseases in which tissue stiffness is altered, and may enhance our understanding of disease mechanisms.