Figure 4: Mechanisms of mechanotransduction signaling.

Schematic depicting the diverse mechanisms and signaling pathways/cascades by which fibroblasts and other mechanosensitive cell types may communicate changes in their mechanical environment to molecular phenotypic changes. Multiple levels of evidence exist to show that fibroblasts activate pro-fibrotic machinery in response to mechanical stress, and that fibroblast mechanical signaling can be targeted to mitigate fibrosis.