Regulation of Tissue Fibrosis by the Biomechanical Environment

Figure 1

This schematic illustrates the transduction of mechanical force from the microenvironment to the cell. Extrinsically applied force results in alteration in the three-dimensional structure of the ECM and activation of integrin-associated signaling and transmission of signals via the actin cytoskeleton. These forces subsequently result in accumulation of ECM components and a stiffer ECM, which exacerbates the fibrotic response.