Subcutaneous tissue fibroblast cytoskeletal remodeling induced by acupuncture: Evidence for a mechanotransduction‐based mechanism

Abstract

Acupuncture needle rotation has been previously shown to cause specific mechanical stimulation of subcutaneous connective tissue. This study uses acupuncture to investigate the role of mechanotransduction-based mechanisms in mechanically-induced cytoskeletal remodeling. The effect of acupuncture needle rotation was quantified by morphometric analysis of mouse tissue explants imaged with confocal microscopy. Needle rotation induced extensive fibroblast spreading and lamellipodia formation within 30 min, measurable as an increased in cell body cross sectional area. The effect of rotation peaked with two needle revolutions and decreased with further increases in rotation. Significant effects of rotation were present throughout the tissue, indicating the presence of a response extending laterally over several centimeters. The effect of rotation with two needle revolutions was prevented by pharmacological inhibitors of actomyosin contractility (blebbistatin), Rho kinase (Y-27632 and H-1152), and Rac signaling. The active cytoskeletal response of fibroblasts demonstrated in this study constitutes an important step in understanding cellular mechanotransduction responses to externally applied mechanical stimuli in whole tissue, and supports a previously proposed model for the mechanism of acupuncture involving connective tissue mechanotransduction.

Test–retest study of fMRI signal change evoked by electroacupuncture stimulation

“…In addition, acupuncture's effect in healthy subjects may differ from that which may occur in patients. Finally, the immune system, endocrine system or other biomechanical signaling pathways may all be involved in mediating the salubrious effects of acupuncture (Gollub et al, 1999;Langevin et al, 2004;Langevin et al, 2006). Given the importance of acupoint specificity in Traditional Chinese Medicine system, further study is needed regarding this issue.…”

Peripheral and Spinal Mechanisms of Pain and Dry Needling Mediated Analgesia: A Clinical Resource Guide for Health Care Professionals

“…The mechanical stimulation via winding or twirling of needles and application of electricity leads to mechanotransduction of fibroblasts secondary to their adhesion to collagen fibers, resulting in a significant increase in the elongation, cell perimeter, and cross sectional area along with increased lamilapodia formation and upregulation of mechanical signaling markers such as Rho and Rac kinases [79,108]. Importantly, these structural and genetic changes have been shown to occur in the vicinity of and distal to the needle insertion site [108].…”

Physiotherapy with and without Superficial Dry Needling Affects Pain and Muscle Strength in Patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

“…For example, it can lead to mechanoreceptors and nociceptors irritation mechanism. Changes in the structure of actin, cell contraction, changes in the composition of the extracellular matrix genes, and ultimately reduce pain and introduce neurological changes [23][24][25][26][27][28].…”