• HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
Saturday, July 26, 2025
BIOENGINEER.ORG
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
No Result
View All Result
Bioengineer.org
No Result
View All Result
Home NEWS Science News Chemistry

New 3D Bone Marrow Model Unveils Trabecular Volume’s Impact on MSC Response and Aging-Related Bone Loss in Microgravity

Bioengineer by Bioengineer
March 31, 2025
in Chemistry
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
ADVERTISEMENT
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on RedditShare on Telegram

TOC Abstract

In a groundbreaking study led by Professors Gunes Uzer from the Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Department at Boise State University, researchers have developed a sophisticated three-dimensional (3D) platform aimed at exploring the impact of mechanical signals on multicellular processes. This innovative approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of how aging and reduced mechanical stimuli influence bone health, specifically focusing on the mechanoresponsiveness of bone marrow. The research reveals significant insights that may pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies in combating age-related bone disorders.

The investigation highlights a major paradox: both elderly individuals and astronauts, despite engaging in regular physical activities, experience considerable bone loss. This contradiction highlights the critical role of bone mechanobiology—specifically, how mechanical signals dictate the behavior of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These MSCs are pivotal in maintaining bone density and integrity; however, their functionality wanes with age and in simulated microgravity settings. This research emphasizes that reduced mechanical signal delivery within bone marrow adversely affects MSC activity, leading to diminished bone strength and integrity over time.

At the heart of this study is the groundbreaking concept of low-intensity vibration (LIV), which has begun to emerge as a viable intervention for restoring MSC proliferation in both aging and microgravity conditions. By simulating mechanical stress through LIV, researchers observed a potential recovery of MSC functions that are typically compromised in older adults. This discovery reinforces the hypothesis that maintaining an environment rich in mechanical signals may be integral to preserving bone density and enhancing the regenerative capacity of bone marrow stem cells as people age.

Understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of MSC behavior under varied mechanical stimuli is paramount. The team’s research highlights that MSCs, residing within adult musculoskeletal tissues, serve critical roles in tissue regeneration and repair. They act as progenitor cells, differentiating into osteoblasts, osteocytes, and adipocytes that contribute to bone modeling. With age or circumstances such as microgravity, the proliferative and osteogenic potential of these stem cells deteriorates, ultimately leading to compromised bone health. The research sheds light on the role of mechanical environments, such as treadmill activities or ladder climbing, that positively influence MSC function and, consequently, bone density.

The introduction of a 3D bone marrow analog represents a significant advancement in bone mechanobiology research. This biomimetic environment allows for the simulation of real-life mechanical stimulation experienced by bones, thereby permitting the quantification of MSC responses to various mechanical loads. By creating a cell-laden bone marrow analog with a three-dimensional printed polylactic acid (PLA) trabeculae and hyaluronic acid-based bone marrow matrix, the researchers have set the stage for in-depth analysis of the effects of trabecular bone volume on MSC mechanoresponsiveness during LIV protocols.

In their analyses, the researchers compared hydrogel strains produced during vibrational stimulation across different scaffold bone volumes—specifically 13% and 25%, corresponding to the estimated bone volumes of aged and young mice, respectively. Through rigorous finite element (FE) simulations combined with in vitro experimental validations, they unearthed a stark contrast: advanced-age trabecular densities produced higher hydrogel strains, while the scaffold mimicking younger densities exhibited less strain. This counterintuitive finding suggests that factors beyond mere mechanical strain are significantly influencing cell behavior and the overall health of bone marrow.

The implications of this study extend beyond the confines of academic inquiry. These findings underscore the potential of the 3D bone marrow analog in studying the intricate interactions between scaffold-lining and hydrogel-encapsulated cells. Such advanced models mimic complexities inherent in bone marrow mechanobiology, allowing researchers to assess the nuances of cellular responses to mechanical signals in distinct contexts, including those relevant to aging, physical inactivity, microgravity, and even radiation exposure.

Furthermore, the research could provide vital therapeutic insights into how engineered mechanical environments might be utilized to restore or enhance MSC function in the treatment of age-related bone degenerative diseases. For individuals grappling with the ramifications of aging on their bone health, understanding and potentially harnessing mechanotherapy could offer a pathway to improved musculoskeletal health.

The 3D bone marrow analog also opens doors for future investigations into how different mechanical environments influence the development of bone conditions and the potential for interventions that could ameliorate the impacts of reduced bone density and the onset of osteoporosis. The collaborative effort among researchers at Boise State University highlights the interdisciplinary nature of current biomechanical research, integrating principles from engineering, biology, and medicine.

As this line of research continues to evolve, the community can anticipate novel strategies designed to manipulate mechanical signals as a way to enhance MSC activity and overall bone health. Promoting this avenue of study could be crucial not only for elderly populations but also for astronauts facing unique challenges related to bone health in space.

In conclusion, this research represents a significant step forward in our understanding of bone mechanoresponsiveness and the cellular mechanisms underpinning muscle and bone health. The potential applications for these findings in clinical settings could vastly improve treatment options and outcomes for various populations, propelling the field of mechanobiology into a brighter future.

Subject of Research: The impact of mechanical signals on mesenchymal stem cell behavior in aging bone marrow
Article Title: Increased deformations are dispensable for encapsulated cell mechanoresponse in engineered bone analogs mimicking aging bone marrow
News Publication Date: 1-Mar-2024
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mbm.2024.100097
References: Not specified
Image Credits: Credit: Peixiang Ma

Tags: 3D bone marrow modelaging-related bone disordersbone loss in microgravitybone mechanobiology researchinnovative approaches in bone researchlow-intensity vibration therapymechanical signals in bone healthmechanoresponsiveness of bone marrowmesenchymal stem cells functionalityMSC response to agingtherapeutic strategies for bone densitytrabecular volume impact

Share12Tweet8Share2ShareShareShare2

Related Posts

Architecture of VBayesMM

Unraveling Gut Bacteria Mysteries Through AI

July 4, 2025
Visulaization of ATLAS collision

Can the Large Hadron Collider Prove String Theory Right?

July 3, 2025

Breakthrough in Gene Therapy: Synthetic DNA Nanoparticles Pave the Way

July 3, 2025

Real-Time Electrochemical Microfluidic Monitoring of Additive Levels in Acidic Copper Plating Solutions for Metal Interconnections

July 3, 2025

POPULAR NEWS

  • Blind to the Burn

    Overlooked Dangers: Debunking Common Myths About Skin Cancer Risk in the U.S.

    62 shares
    Share 25 Tweet 16
  • AI Achieves Breakthrough in Drug Discovery by Tackling the True Complexity of Aging

    70 shares
    Share 28 Tweet 18
  • USF Research Unveils AI Technology for Detecting Early PTSD Indicators in Youth Through Facial Analysis

    43 shares
    Share 17 Tweet 11
  • Dr. Miriam Merad Honored with French Knighthood for Groundbreaking Contributions to Science and Medicine

    46 shares
    Share 18 Tweet 12

About

We bring you the latest biotechnology news from best research centers and universities around the world. Check our website.

Follow us

Recent News

Additive Manufacturing of Monolithic Gyroidal Solid Oxide Cells

Machine Learning Uncovers Sorghum’s Complex Mold Resistance

Pathology Multiplexing Revolutionizes Disease Mapping

  • Contact Us

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Homepages
    • Home Page 1
    • Home Page 2
  • News
  • National
  • Business
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.