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Cited by 57Cellular Mechanics and InteractionsLiver physiology and pathologyLiver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment

Mechanotransduction in Liver Diseases

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Kang, Ningling·2020·Seminars in Liver Disease
DOI 10.1055/s-0039-3399502PMC PMC6992517
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Abstract

Chronic liver diseases, such as fibrosis and cancer, lead to a rigid or stiff liver because of perpetual activation of hepatic stellate cells or portal fibroblasts into matrix-producing myofibroblasts. Mechanical forces, as determined by the mechanical properties of extracellular matrix or pressure of circulating blood flow/shear stress, are sensed by mechanoreceptors at the plasma membrane and transmitted into a cell to impact cell function. This process is termed as mechanotransduction. This review includes basic knowledge regarding how external forces are sensed, amplified, and transmitted into the interior of a cell as far as the nucleus to regulate gene transcription and generate biological responses. It also reviews literatures to highlight the mechanisms by which mechanical forces in a normal or diseased liver influence the phenotype of hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, portal fibroblasts, and sinusoidal endothelial cells, and these cells in turn participate in the initiation and progression of liver diseases.

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  • HSCs are capable of moving and clustering in more rigid regions via mechanical signaling pathways, subsequently leading to further stiffening of the ECM.

    “HSCs are capable of moving and clustering in more rigid regions via mechanical signaling pathways, subsequently leading to further stiffening of the ECM.63”

    From Mechanosensitive calcium ion channels Piezo1: A therapeutic target in liver disease (2025) · cites this paper as [63]

  • Liver stiffness influences resident liver cells through mechanotransduction, promoting a sustained fibrotic response and contributing to a pathological liver environment.

    “Additionally, liver stiffness influences resident liver cells through mechanotransduction, promoting a sustained fibrotic response and contributing to the formation of a pathological liver environment.63”

    From Mechanosensitive calcium ion channels Piezo1: A therapeutic target in liver disease (2025) · cites this paper as [63]

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References 61 · Cited by 57

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Authors
Kang, N.
Affiliations
University of Minnesota (US)
Corresponding author
Kang, Ningling
ORCID
Kang, Ningling
Venue
Seminars in Liver Disease
Publisher
Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Published
2019-11-04
Volume
40
Issue
01
Pages
084-090
ISSN
  • 0272-8087 (ISSN-L)
  • 1098-8971
DOI
10.1055/s-0039-3399502
PMC
PMC6992517
OpenAlex
W2984273484
Cited by
57
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 4
FWCI
2.91
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Seminars in Liver Disease (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
NIH (R01 CA160069)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hepatology › Liver physiology and pathology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
Keywords
mechanotransduction, liver fibrosis, liver cancer, hepatic stellate cells, portal fibroblasts, myofibroblast activation, extracellular matrix stiffness, shear stress, mechanoreceptors, gene transcription, hepatocyte phenotype, sinusoidal endothelial cells, liver disease progression
MeSH terms
Animals, Extracellular Matrix, Humans, Liver Diseases, Hepatocytes, Mechanotransduction, Cellular, Myofibroblasts

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