Mechanical regulation of musculoskeletal system development

Abstract

During embryogenesis, the musculoskeletal system develops while containing within itself a force generator in the form of the musculature. This generator becomes functional relatively early in development, exerting an increasing mechanical load on neighboring tissues as development proceeds. A growing body of evidence indicates that such mechanical forces can be translated into signals that combine with the genetic program of organogenesis. This unique situation presents both a major challenge and an opportunity to the other tissues of the musculoskeletal system, namely bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and the tissues connecting them. Here, we summarize the involvement of muscle-induced mechanical forces in the development of various vertebrate musculoskeletal components and their integration into one functional unit.

Postnatal development of the largest subterranean mammal (Bathyergus suillus): Morphology, osteogenesis, and modularity of the appendicular skeleton

“…The differences between Bathyergus and C. talarum suggest that subterranean species may vary on terms of the adaptive processes responsible for their adult skeletal phenotype. However, there is increasing evidence showing that a variety of molecular, physiological, and mechanical stimuli play important roles on morphogenesis and prenatal ossification . Thus, the assumption that perinatally developed traits are principally controlled by genetic factors, assuming a lower exposure to mechanical stimuli is inaccurate.…”

“…However, there is increasing evidence showing that a variety of molecular, physiological, and mechanical stimuli play important roles on morphogenesis and prenatal ossification. 90,91 Thus, the assumption that perinatally developed traits are principally controlled by genetic factors, assuming a lower exposure to mechanical stimuli is inaccurate. The attainment of the fundamental form of the skeleton, as well as the presence of bone superstructures such as condyles, articular surfaces, tuberosities, and grooves are independent of both functional demand and biomechanical factors, whereas the position of structures associated with muscle and ligament attachment (eg, deltoid process) may depend relatively more upon the functional demands to which the skeleton is subjected 50,92 and requires further study.…”

Forelimb unloading impairs glenohumeral muscle development in growing rats

“…Mechanical loading is critically important for healthy musculoskeletal development 1,2 and maintenance 3,4 . In adult murine models, unloading via hindlimb suspension, microgravity during spaceflight, and muscle paralysis causes changes in muscle architecture.…”

Bone Surface Micro‐Topography at Craniofacial Entheses: Insights on Osteogenic Adaptation at Muscle Insertions

“…A complex of tissue types providing functional anisotropic properties to manifest as adaptive biomechanically functional structures at muscle and ligament attachments, known as an enthesis (Blitz et al, 2009;Blitz et al, 2013;Shwartz et al, 2013;Rodríguez-Vázquez et al, 2017). These tissues are intrinsically related to the muscular system and have a capacity to alter material composition, mass, and gross structure in response to mechanical loads (Berendsen and Olsen, 2015;Felsenthal and Zelzer, 2017). The osteological component of an enthesis is a taphonomic robust structure and, hence, are well represented in the fossil record.…”