Editorial: New Insights into Mechanotransduction by Immune Cells in Physiological and Pathological Conditions

Mechanotransduction is the process in which mechanical and physical forces sensed by membrane receptors and/or channels (‘mechanosensors’) are converted into intracellular biochemical signals. This process plays fundamental functions in the regulation of development, immunity, inflammation, neurodegeneration, wound healing, fibrogenesis, pain transmission, and oncogenesis (1–6). Changes in matrix tension, stiffness (or rigidity), compression, and shear as well as cellular contact with neighboring cells and foreign bodies produce intracellular signals by acting on mechanosensors to affect a wide range of physiological or pathological outcomes (7–14, Gunasinghe et al.). Emerging data support a role for substrate tension, compression, and stiffness of the extracellular and intracellular matrix, in numerous cellular processes including gene expression, cell migration, cell proliferation, and differentiation (1–14, Gunasinghe et al.). Despite substantial progress in mechanotransduction field, the molecular pathways whereby mechanical and biochemical signals are integrated to elicit a specific cellular outcome are still poorly understood. The aim of this special Research Topic, which incorporates 6 original articles and 4 reviews - is to highlight the role of mechanotransduction by immune cells under physiological and pathological conditions.