The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides structural and biochemical support to cells within tissues. An emerging body of evidence has established that the ECM plays a key role in cell mechanotransduction - the study of coupling between mechanical inputs and cellular phenotype - through either mediating transmission of forces to the cells, or presenting mechanical cues that guide cellular behaviors. Recent progress in cell mechanotransduction research has been facilitated by advances of experimental tools, particularly microtechnologies, engineered biomaterials, and imaging and analytical methods. Microtechnologies have enabled the design and fabrication of controlled physical microenvironments for the study and measurement of cell-ECM interactions. Advances in engineered biomaterials have allowed researchers to develop synthetic ECMs that mimic tissue microenvironments and investigate the impact of altered physicochemical properties on various cellular processes. Finally, advanced imaging and spectroscopy techniques have facilitated the visualization of the complex interaction between cells and ECM in vitro and in living tissues. This review will highlight the application of recent innovations in these areas to probing cell-ECM interactions. We believe cross-disciplinary approaches, combining aspects of the different technologies reviewed here, will inspire innovative ideas to further elucidate the secrets of ECM-mediated cell control.

中文翻译：

---

探索细胞-细胞外基质相互作用的新进展。

细胞外基质 (ECM) 为组织内的细胞提供结构和生化支持。大量证据表明，ECM 在细胞力转导（机械输入与细胞表型之间的耦合研究）中发挥着关键作用，通过介导力向细胞的传递，或呈现指导细胞行为的机械线索。实验工具的进步，特别是微技术、工程生物材料以及成像和分析方法，促进了细胞力转导研究的最新进展。微技术使得受控​​物理微环境的设计和制造成为可能，用于研究和测量细胞-ECM 相互作用。工程生物材料的进步使研究人员能够开发模拟组织微环境的合成 ECM，并研究物理化学特性改变对各种细胞过程的影响。最后，先进的成像和光谱技术促进了体外和活组织中细胞和 ECM 之间复杂相互作用的可视化。本综述将重点介绍这些领域的最新创新在探索细胞-ECM 相互作用方面的应用。我们相信，跨学科的方法，结合这里审查的不同技术的各个方面，将激发创新思想，以进一步阐明 ECM 介导的细胞控制的秘密。