Fluid shear-induced mechanical signaling in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts requires cytoskeleton-integrin interactions

A study was conducted to examine the function of the actin cytoskeleton and actin-membrane interactions in the mechanical signal transmission that leads to altered gene expression in culture MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Results indicate that fluid shear-induced mechanical signaling in osteoblasts increases expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and c-Fos via a mechanism that involves the rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton. Moreover, the development of stress fibers and their anchorage to integrins in focal adhesion lead to fluid shear-induced changes in bone cells.