It is increasingly clear that mechanotransduction pathways play important roles in regulating
fundamental cellular functions. Of the basic mechanical functions, the determination of …

The adhesion nexus is the site at which integrin receptors bridge intracellular cytoskeletal
and extracellular matrix networks. The connection between integrins and the cytoskeleton is …

Integrin receptor activation initiates the formation of integrin adhesion complexes (IACs) at
the cell membrane that transduce adhesion-dependent signals to control a multitude of …

Podocytes are specialized epithelial cells that cover the outer surfaces of glomerular
capillaries. Unique cell junctions, known as slit diaphragms, which feature nephrin and …

The cell microenvironment has a profound influence on the behaviour, growth and survival
of cells. The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides not only mechanical and structural support …

Atherosclerosis, a chronic lipid-driven inflammatory disease affecting large arteries,
represents the primary cause of cardiovascular disease in the world. The local remodeling of …

Calcium signaling plays an important role in gene expression. At the transcriptional level,
this may underpin mammalian neuronal synaptic plasticity. Calcium influx into the …

Cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion is a fundamental requirement for multicellular
existence due to roles in positioning, proliferation and differentiation. Phosphorylation plays …

Integrin adhesion complexes (IACs) form mechanochemical connections between the
extracellular matrix and actin cytoskeleton and mediate phenotypic responses via …

Cell and tissue stiffness have been known to contribute to both developmental and
pathological signalling for some time, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive …