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. 2018 Jul 5;9:824. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00824

Glossary.

Extracellular Matrix (ECM) Network and reservoir of extracellular and signaling molecules which are secreted locally to ensure cell and tissue cohesion
Focal adhesions (FAs) Integrin-based cell-matrix physical contacts that transduce and integrate mechanical and biochemical cues from the environment through the recruitment of intracellular multiprotein assemblies connected to actin cytoskeleton
Mechanosensing The ability of a cell to sense mechanical cues of its micro-environment, including not only all components of force, stress and strain but also substrate rigidity, topography and adhesiveness.
Mechanotransduction Molecular process transforming a physical stimulus in a biological response
Mechanotransducers Individual or protein complexes that produce or enable a chemical signal in response to a mechanical stimulus
Mechanical instability Is the result of substrate mechanical oscillations at cell-ECM interface, that induces internal cellular and molecular rearrangements, in order to recover to an equilibrium state
Tension Pulling force transmitted axially by means of an object
Tensional homeostasis A basal equilibrium stress state in which cells counteract external force application by moving toward a previous force setpoint that had been established before external force application
Stiffness Resistance of an elastic body to deflection or deformation by an applied force
Stress fibers (SFs) Bundles of F-actin and myosin II held together by cross-linking proteins ensuring the cytoskeletal contractility