The way in which cells coordinate their behaviours during various biological processes, including morphogenesis, cancer progression and tissue remodelling, largely depends on the mechanical properties of the external environment. In contrast to single cells, collective cell behaviours rely on the cellular interactions not only with the surrounding extracellular matrix but also with neighbouring cells. Collective dynamics is not simply the result of many individually moving blocks. Instead, cells coordinate their movements by actively interacting with each other. These mechanisms are governed by mechanosensitive adhesion complexes at the cell–substrate interface and cell–cell junctions, which respond to but also further transmit physical signals. The mechanosensitivity and mechanotransduction at adhesion complexes are important for regulating tissue cohesiveness and thus are important for collective cell behaviours. Recent studies have shown that the physical properties of the cellular environment, which include matrix stiffness, topography, geometry and the application of external forces, can alter collective cell behaviours, tissue organization and cell-generated forces. On the basis of these findings, we can now start building our understanding of the mechanobiology of collective cell movements that span over multiple length scales from the molecular to the tissue level.

中文翻译：

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集体细胞行为的力学生物学

细胞在各种生物学过程中协调其行为的方式，包括形态发生，癌症进展和组织重塑，在很大程度上取决于外部环境的机械特性。与单个细胞相反，集体细胞行为不仅依赖于与周围细胞外基质的相互作用，而且还依赖于与邻近细胞的相互作用。集体动力不仅仅是许多单独移动的块的结果。相反，单元格通过彼此之间的主动交互来协调其运动。这些机制由细胞-基质界面和细胞-细胞连接处的机械敏感性粘附复合物控制，这些复合物既响应又进一步传输物理信号。粘附复合物的机械敏感性和机械转导对于调节组织的粘附性很重要，因此对集体细胞的行为也很重要。最近的研究表明，细胞环境的物理特性（包括基质刚度，形貌，几何形状和外力的施加）可以改变集体细胞的行为，组织组织和细胞产生的力。基于这些发现，我们现在可以开始建立对从分子到组织水平跨越多个长度尺度的集体细胞运动的力学生物学的理解。几何形状和外力的施加会改变集体细胞的行为，组织组织和细胞产生的力。基于这些发现，我们现在可以开始建立对从分子到组织水平跨越多个长度尺度的集体细胞运动的力学生物学的理解。几何形状和外力的施加会改变集体细胞的行为，组织组织和细胞产生的力。基于这些发现，我们现在可以开始建立对从分子到组织水平跨越多个长度尺度的集体细胞运动的力学生物学的理解。