Mechanical Cues Regulate Histone Modifications and Cell Behavior

Abstract

Change of biophysical factors in tissue microenvironment is an important step in a chronic disease development process. A mechanical and biochemical factor from cell living microniche can regulate cell epigenetic decoration and, therefore, further induce change of gene expression. In this review, we will emphasize the mechanism that biophysical microenvironment manipulates cell behavior including gene expression and protein decoration, through modifying histone amino acid residue modification. The influence given by different mechanical forces, including mechanical stretch, substrate surface stiffness, and shear stress, on cell fate and behavior during chronic disease development including tumorigenesis will also be teased out. Overall, the recent work summarized in this review culminates on the hypothesis that a mechanical factor stimulates the modification on histone which could facilitate disease detection and potential therapeutic target.

TMEM215 Prevents Endothelial Cell Apoptosis in Vessel Regression by Blunting BIK-Regulated ER-to-Mitochondrial Ca Influx

“…55 In ECs, mechanical force-induced epigenetic alterations including histone modifications participate in vessel development and homeostasis. 56,57 Specifically, the EZH2-mediated H3K27me3 contributes to endothelial anti-inflammatory effects via epigenetic regulation of IGFBP5 expression, cell adhesion, and communications. 42,43,58,59 Our data show that TMEM215 is a novel target gene of EZH2-mediated transcriptional repression.…”