The cornea, as a dynamic and responsive tissue, constantly interacts with mechanical forces in order to maintain its structural integrity, barrier function, transparency and refractive power. Cells within the cornea sense and respond to various mechanical forces that fundamentally regulate their morphology and fate in development, homeostasis and pathophysiology. Corneal cells also dynamically regulate their extracellular matrix (ECM) with ensuing cell-ECM crosstalk as the matrix serves as a dynamic signaling reservoir providing biophysical and biochemical cues to corneal cells. Here we provide an overview of mechanotransduction signaling pathways then delve into the recent advances in corneal mechanobiology, focusing on the interplay between mechanical forces and responses of the corneal epithelial, stromal, and endothelial cells. We also identify species-specific differences in corneal biomechanics and mechanotransduction to facilitate identification of optimal animal models to study corneal wound healing, disease, and novel therapeutic interventions. Finally, we identify key knowledge gaps and therapeutic opportunities in corneal mechanobiology that are pressing for the research community to address especially pertinent within the domains of limbal stem cell deficiency, keratoconus and Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy. By furthering our understanding corneal mechanobiology, we can contextualize discoveries regarding corneal diseases as well as innovative treatments for them.

中文翻译：

---

粘糊糊的事情——健康和疾病中的角膜力学生物学


角膜作为一个动态且反应灵敏的组织，不断与机械力相互作用，以维持其结构完整性、屏障功能、透明度和屈光力。角膜内的细胞感知并响应各种机械力，这些机械力从根本上调节其发育、稳态和病理生理学的形态和命运。角膜细胞还通过随后的细胞-ECM串扰动态调节其细胞外基质（ECM），因为基质充当动态信号传导库，为角膜细胞提供生物物理和生化线索。在这里，我们概述了机械转导信号通路，然后深入研究了角膜机械生物学的最新进展，重点关注机械力与角膜上皮、基质和内皮细胞反应之间的相互作用。我们还确定了角膜生物力学和机械传导方面的物种特异性差异，以促进确定最佳动物模型来研究角膜伤口愈合、疾病和新型治疗干预措施。最后，我们确定了角膜机械生物学中的关键知识差距和治疗机会，这些差距和治疗机会迫切要求研究界解决角膜缘干细胞缺陷、圆锥角膜和福克斯内皮性角膜营养不良领域内特别相关的问题。通过进一步了解角膜机械生物学，我们可以将有关角膜疾病的发现及其创新疗法结合起来。