Journal
ANNUAL REVIEW OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, VOL 17
Volume 17, Issue -, Pages 113-141Publisher
ANNUAL REVIEWS
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-071114-040829
Keywords
cellular mechanics; nuclear mechanics; extracellular matrix; mitochondrial dysfunction
Categories
Funding
- NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE [U54CA143868, R01CA174388] Funding Source: NIH RePORTER
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING [P30AG021334] Funding Source: NIH RePORTER
- NCI NIH HHS [U54CA143868, R01CA174388, R01 CA174388, U54 CA143868] Funding Source: Medline
- NIA NIH HHS [P30AG021334, P30 AG021334] Funding Source: Medline
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Aging is a complex, multifaceted process that induces a myriad of physiological changes over an extended period of time. Aging is accompanied by major biochemical and biomechanical changes at macroscopic and microscopic length scales that affect not only tissues and organs but also cells and subcellular organelles. These changes include transcriptional and epigenetic modifications; changes in energy production within mitochondria; and alterations in the overall mechanics of cells, their nuclei, and their surrounding extracellular matrix. In addition, aging influences the ability of cells to sense changes in extracellular-matrix compliance (mechanosensation) and to transduce these changes into biochemical signals (mechanotransduction). Moreover, following a complex positive-feedback loop, aging is accompanied by changes in the composition and structure of the extracellular matrix, resulting in changes in the mechanics of connective tissues in older individuals. Consequently, these progressive dysfunctions facilitate many human pathologies and deficits that are associated with aging, including cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neurodegenerative disorders and diseases. Here, we critically review recent work highlighting some of the primary biophysical changes occurring in cells and tissues that accompany the aging process.
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