Cellular Biomechanics in Drug Screening and Evaluation: Mechanopharmacology

Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2016 Feb;37(2):87-100. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2015.10.005. Epub 2015 Dec 1.

Abstract

The study of mechanobiology is now widespread. The impact of cell and tissue mechanics on cellular responses is well appreciated. However, knowledge of the impact of cell and tissue mechanics on pharmacological responsiveness, and its application to drug screening and mechanistic investigations, have been very limited in scope. We emphasize the need for a heightened awareness of the important bidirectional influence of drugs and biomechanics in all living systems. We propose that the term 'mechanopharmacology' be applied to approaches that employ in vitro systems, biomechanically appropriate to the relevant (patho)physiology, to identify new drugs and drug targets. This article describes the models and techniques that are being developed to transform drug screening and evaluation, ranging from a 2D environment to the dynamic 3D environment of the target expressed in the disease of interest.

Keywords: drug screening; mechanobiology; stiffness; strain; stress; traction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomechanical Phenomena / physiology*
  • Cell Physiological Phenomena / drug effects
  • Cell Physiological Phenomena / physiology
  • Compressive Strength
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods*
  • Humans
  • Pharmacology / methods*
  • Shear Strength
  • Tensile Strength