Microfabricated Stretching Devices for Studying the Effects of Tensile Stress on Cells and Tissues

Abstract

Tensile stress is one of the most common mechanical stresses on the connective tissues of human organs. Cell stretching devices have been developed to study the effects of tensile stress on cells and tissues. In this study, we review how these devices function mechanically and apply them to biological research. To this end, we technically evaluate the four types of actuation processes used in cell stretching devices, including electric motor-driven and electromagnetic actuation, along with their pros and cons. For example, these cell stretching devices have shortcomings including large size, a complicated system, and generation of heat and shock, which hinder the real-time imaging of cells during stretching in high-resolution microscopes. We also describe the effects of tensile stress on cellular and tissue homeostasis. With this review, we seek to explore future directions for development of cell tensioning devices to understand mechanobiological responses to mechanical stress in vivo.