Mechanobiology and cartilage engineering: The underlying pathophysiological phenomena

At the end of the 20th century, various data have been collected in biology through molecular approaches without being able however to explain the underlying pathophysiological processes. Today, recent advances in cell biology (confocal imaging, optical tweezers, NMR . . .) and molecular biology (proteomics, genomics . . .) can give the option of new therapeutic approaches taking into account the central role of mechanical forces on tissue differentiation, development and remodelling. A broad spectrum of physiological phenomena is induced by mechanical stimuli (hearing, orientation to gravity, touch, tissue remodelling . . .), however the accurate mechanisms underlying the way mechanical factors mediate the physiological responses remain globally unknown (membrane deformation secondary to mechanical forces, modifications of local osmolarity, conformational changes of transmembrane proteins, direct impact on nucleus . . .).