Fig. 4.

Cellular mechanotransduction of ECM stiffness. The integrins convey mechanical and biochemical signals from ECM into cells and facilitate cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and invasion. The RhoA/ROCK pathway is activated, enhancing collagen and fibronectin accumulation. Talin/FAK facilitates the assembly of F-actin to promote signal transduction. The actin connects with myosin II and conveys the mechanical cues to the nucleus. YAP/TAZ is translocated into the nucleus to promote the transcription of downstream genes, collagen synthesis, and cell differentiation. ECM extracellular matrix, ER endoplasmic reticulum, ERK extracellular signal-related kinase, FAK focal adhesion kinase, ILK integrin-linked kinase, P phosphate, TGFβ transforming growth factor β