Mechanical microenvironment as a key cellular regulator in the liver

Abstract

Tissue stiffness, shear stress, and interstitial pressure constitute major factors of the liver mechanical microenvironment that play a key regulatory role in controlling cell behavior in the liver and progression of liver diseases. In this review, we focus on the characteristics of the liver mechanical microenvironment and summarize cellular responses to mechanobiological changes during liver pathogenesis, especially in hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. A better understanding of the indispensable contribution of mechanical cues to liver homeostasis and pathogenesis is essential for identifying new therapeutic targets for liver diseases such as hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis.