Fig. 1
From: How the mechanical microenvironment of stem cell growth affects their differentiation: a review
Mechanical stimulation regulates the differentiation of stem cells into osteoblasts/osteoclasts and chondroblasts through the NF-κB pathway. Mechanical stretching can reduce phosphorylated IκB kinase, block NF-κB activity, and promote osteogenic differentiation of cells. Fluid shear stress also increases the expression of OPG, the decoy receptor for RANKL, upregulating the expression of osteoblast marker genes. Mechanical loading can reduce the levels of IL-1β, which in turn reduces NF-κB expression and regulates the chondrogenesis