Mechanosensing in Dendritic Cells

Abstract

Since their discovery, dendritic cells have been recognized for their unusual capacity to sense and respond to physical stimuli within their environment. However, it took nearly two decades—and the advent of mechanobiology—to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and functional implications of this mechanical hypersensitivity. In this review, we first outline the fundamental principles by which cells interact with their physical surroundings and transduce mechanical cues into biological responses. We then examine these concepts in the context of dendritic cell biology, highlighting how mechanosensing shapes their immune phenotype and governs their migratory behavior across tissues. Emerging evidence reveals that dendritic cells possess remarkable adaptability to mechanical constraints, a property that critically defines their role in immune surveillance. These insights underscore the need to consider mechanical cues as key regulators of dendritic cell function, particularly in pathological settings where tissue mechanics are altered, such as cancer and fibrosis-associated autoimmune diseases.