Mechanosensing in mesenchymal stem cells: signaling, memory, and translation

Mechanical forces are key determinants of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) functional homeostasis, which underpins repair and regeneration across multiple organs and tissues. Aging and inflammation disrupt MSC homeostasis by altering cellular mechanosensing and mechanotransduction. Safeguarding MSC homeostasis is therefore clinically relevant for regenerative medicine. This review summarizes how tensile strain, compressive loading, and fluid shear stress regulate MSC functional homeostasis in a parameter- and context-dependent manner, evaluates the evidence linking mechanosensors to downstream signaling and mechanical memory, and outlines key limitations and translational challenges.