Viscoelasticity and its alteration in time and space has turned out to act as a key element in
fundamental biological processes in living systems, such as morphogenesis and motility.
Based on experimental and theoretical findings it can be proposed that viscoelasticity of
cells, spheroids and tissues seems to be a collective characteristic that demands
macromolecular, intracellular component and intercellular interactions. A major
challenge is to couple the alterations in the macroscopic structural or material
characteristics of cells, spheroids and tissues, such as cell and tissue phase
transitions, to the microscopic interferences of their elements. Therefore, the
biophysical technologies need to be improved, advanced and connected to classical
biological assays. In this review, the viscoelastic nature of cytoskeletal, extracellular and
cellular networks is presented and discussed. Viscoelasticity is conceptualized as a major
contributor to cell migration and invasion and it is discussed whether it can serve as a
biomarker for the cells’ migratory capacity in several biological contexts. It can be
hypothesized that the statistical mechanics of intra- and extracellular networks may be
applied in the future as a powerful tool to explore quantitatively the biomechanical
foundation of viscoelasticity over a broad range of time and length scales. Finally, the
importance of the cellular viscoelasticity is illustrated in identifying and characterizing
multiple disorders, such as cancer, tissue injuries, acute or chronic inflammations or fibrotic
diseases.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:DRESDEN/oai:qucosa:de:qucosa:84516 |
| Date | 03 April 2023 |
| Creators | Mierke, Claudia Tanja |
| Publisher | Frontiers Research Foundation |
| Source Sets | Hochschulschriftenserver (HSSS) der SLUB Dresden |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion, doc-type:article, info:eu-repo/semantics/article, doc-type:Text |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Relation | 2296-634X, 789841 |
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