Influence of Mechanical Forces on Skin Cells

In skin, both epidermal (keratinocytes) and dermal cells (fibroblasts) respond to mechanical loading by undergoing structural and biochemical changes. Wang and Stamenovic (2000) have shown that fibroblasts grown 

Fibroblasts grown in collagen lattices can generate a force of approximately 10 x 10 WN as a result of a change in cell shape and attachment they maintain a tensional homeostasis of approximately 40-60 x 10 5N per 

Isolated keratinocytes subjected to cyclic strain exhibit a significant increase in cell proliferation, DNA synthesis, and protein synthesis compared to stationary or constantly loaded cells, which appear to involve changes in cyclic AMP. Takei et al. (1997) reported a strain-induced reduction in the levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, protein kinase A (PKA), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) as compared to stationary controls. Takei et al. (1997) also studied the effects of cyclic strain on protein kinase C (PKC) activation and translocation in cultured keratinocytes. 

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