Mechanical memory in cells: mechanisms, effects, and applications in regenerative medicine

Mechanical memory is the ability of cells to retain information from past mechanical environments, which profoundly influences cellular behaviour and fate, particularly in stem cells. This review combines contemporary insights into mechanical memory with specific attention to its underlying processes, which span mechanotransduction to epigenetic alterations. Various approaches to study mechanical memory have been investigated through substrate stiffness modulation, shear stress, and cyclic strain while evaluating the impact of mechanical memory on several cell types. Applications in regenerative medicine are discussed, including stem cell expansion, tissue engineering, and disease treatment. Future research directions are proposed to enhance the understanding and control of mechanical memory for therapeutic advancements, addressing gaps in molecular mechanisms and clinical translation.