Mechanical Signals in Aging: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies.

Jinghan Yang, Aijing Cao, Xiaojing Liu

State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Centre for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No 14th, 3rd section, Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, China.. Electronic address: [email protected] Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Centre for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No 14th, 3rd section, Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, China.. Electronic address: [email protected]. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

Cellular senescence is a fundamental driver of aging and age-related diseases. While traditionally attributed to biochemical cues, accumulating evidence identifies cellular mechanics as a critical regulator of senescence. Cells continuously sense and transduce extracellular mechanical signals, which reshape cytoskeletal architecture, nuclear mechanics, and chromatin organization. In this review, we summarize multi-scale mechanical alterations associated with senescence, including altered cellular traction force, cytoskeletal disorganization, and impaired nuclear mechanotransduction. We further discuss key mechanosensitive pathways that govern senescence initiation and progression. Finally, we highlight emerging mechanical approaches for identifying senescent cells and discuss the therapeutic potential of mechanics-based interventions, including mechanical stimulation, microenvironment remodeling, and targeted modulation of mechanotransduction, for aging and regenerative medicine.

The following analysis is generated by AI and may contain errors. It is separate from the authors’ abstract and is not peer review.

Research summary

This review proposes that mechanical alterations and impaired mechanotransduction are fundamental drivers of cellular senescence, suggesting that targeting these physical properties offers a viable therapeutic strategy for mitigating aging. The paper is relevant because it addresses cellular senescence, a recognized root cause of aging, by exploring mechanobiology as a key regulatory mechanism, though as a review summarizing existing evidence rather than presenting new experimental breakthroughs, its direct scientific impact is moderate.

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