Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a subgroup of stem cells that have the ability to differentiate into many different cell types, playing a significant role in tissue repair and regeneration. MSCs are found in many areas of the body, but most notably in the bone marrow.
MSCs have many important features that help them to serve their function. In this blog, we’ll be exploring two of the most crucial – multipotency and mechanosensitivity.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a subgroup of stem cells that have the ability to differentiate into many different cell types, playing a significant role in tissue repair and regeneration. MSCs are found in many areas of the body, but most notably in the bone marrow.
MSCs have many important features that help them to serve their function. In this blog, we’ll be exploring two of the most crucial – multipotency and mechanosensitivity.
MSCs are ‘multipotent’, meaning they can develop into multiple types of cells, such as:
MSCs are ‘multipotent’, meaning they can develop into multiple types of cells, such as:
MSCs are like tiny, undecided workers in a factory. They have the potential to become different specialised workers, such as builders (bone cells), movers (muscle cells) or cushion-makers (fat cells), but they need the right instructions to decide what role to take on. One way these cells get their instructions is through mechanical forces – the physical pressure, stretching, or stiffness of the environment around them.
MSCs have special sensors that detect these physical forces. When they feel different levels of stiffness or stretching, they activate different internal signals (proteins and genes) that tell them what cell type to become. This process is called mechanotransduction – literally ‘turning mechanical forces into biological responses’. Think of it like how plants grow towards sunlight – MSCs ‘feel’ their surroundings and adjust their behaviour to match.
MSCs are like tiny, undecided workers in a factory. They have the potential to become different specialised workers, such as builders (bone cells), movers (muscle cells) or cushion-makers (fat cells), but they need the right instructions to decide what role to take on. One way these cells get their instructions is through mechanical forces – the physical pressure, stretching, or stiffness of the environment around them.
MSCs have special sensors that detect these physical forces. When they feel different levels of stiffness or stretching, they activate different internal signals (proteins and genes) that tell them what cell type to become. This process is called mechanotransduction – literally ‘turning mechanical forces into biological responses’. Think of it like how plants grow towards sunlight – MSCs ‘feel’ their surroundings and adjust their behaviour to match.
Physical activity plays a critical role in directing MSCs toward forming bone and muscle while reducing their tendency to become fat.
When you do weight-bearing exercise, your bones, especially those in your legs, hips and spine, experience compressive forces due to gravity and the resistance of the weight of your body. MSCs detect this force and are signalled to differentiate into osteoblasts (bone-forming cells), leading to stronger and denser bones over time.
The repeated stretching and contracting of muscles during weight-bearing exercises also encourages MSCs to turn into muscle cells, helping with muscle repair and growth.
If MSCs don’t experience much force at all, they will turn into fat cells. This happens when the body isn’t under much physical stress from exercise, encouraging the storage of energy instead of building strength.
Regular physical activity tells MSCs to prioritise bone and muscle growth instead of fat storage, improving bone strength, muscle mass and overall tissue repair. It’s like giving your stem cells their own workout plan to keep your body strong and resilient.
It also explains why astronauts lose bone density in space – without mechanical stress from gravity acting on the skeleton, MSCs don’t receive the signals to make more bone. This leads to rapid bone loss and increased risk of fractures on return to Earth.
Physical activity plays a critical role in directing MSCs toward forming bone and muscle while reducing their tendency to become fat.
When you do weight-bearing exercise, your bones, especially those in your legs, hips and spine, experience compressive forces due to gravity and the resistance of the weight of your body. MSCs detect this force and are signalled to differentiate into osteoblasts (bone-forming cells), leading to stronger and denser bones over time.
The repeated stretching and contracting of muscles during weight-bearing exercises also encourages MSCs to turn into muscle cells, helping with muscle repair and growth.
If MSCs don’t experience much force at all, they will turn into fat cells. This happens when the body isn’t under much physical stress from exercise, encouraging the storage of energy instead of building strength.
Regular physical activity tells MSCs to prioritise bone and muscle growth instead of fat storage, improving bone strength, muscle mass and overall tissue repair. It’s like giving your stem cells their own workout plan to keep your body strong and resilient.
It also explains why astronauts lose bone density in space – without mechanical stress from gravity acting on the skeleton, MSCs don’t receive the signals to make more bone. This leads to rapid bone loss and increased risk of fractures on return to Earth.
Low-intensity Vibration (LiV) therapy with the Marodyne LiV is a revolutionary therapeutic approach for building bone and muscle mass.
LiV mimics the effects of physical activity, sending out a precise signal that corresponds to the small contractions or forces exerted onto muscles and bones during movement. It’s an analogue for activity, with the gentle vibrations stimulating MSCs in the same way exercise does, encouraging them to form bone and muscle cells, instead of fat.
It’s an effective option for people who may be unable to perform weight-bearing exercise due to limited mobility, low bone density or other health-related reasons. It’s safe, non-invasive and has no known side effects or contraindications, meaning it can be used with confidence by anyone.
Want to find out more about LiV? Click the button below.
Low-intensity Vibration (LiV) therapy with the Marodyne LiV is a revolutionary therapeutic approach for building bone and muscle mass.
LiV mimics the effects of physical activity, sending out a precise signal that corresponds to the small contractions or forces exerted onto muscles and bones during movement. It’s an analogue for activity, with the gentle vibrations stimulating MSCs in the same way exercise does, encouraging them to form bone and muscle cells, instead of fat.
It’s an effective option for people who may be unable to perform weight-bearing exercise due to limited mobility, low bone density or other health-related reasons. It’s safe, non-invasive and has no known side effects or contraindications, meaning it can be used with confidence by anyone.
Want to find out more about LiV? Click the button below.
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