Mechanisms and current applications of mechanical forces in cranial bone defect repair
10.19405/j.cnki.issn1000–1492.2026.05 023
- VernacularTitle:机械力在颅骨缺损修复中的机制和应用现状
- Author:
Bingcheng DU
1
;
Qi CHEN
1
;
Yu WANG
1
;
Zhijun ZHAO
2
Author Information
1. Baotou Medical College， Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology， Baotou 014010
2. Department of Neurosurgery， The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College， Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology， Baotou 014010
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
mechanical force;
skull defect;
bone regeneration;
negative pressure;
fluid shear stress
- From:
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui
2026;61(5):961-968
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Cranial bone defect repair remains a significant challenge in craniomaxillofacial surgery， particularly when defects exceed the critical size defect （CSD） threshold， rendering them incapable of spontaneous healing without external intervention. Mechanical forces—including compression， tension， and shear stress—play a pivotal role in cranial development and regeneration. These forces regulate osteoblast differentiation and bone regeneration by activating key mechanotransduction pathways， such as the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway， the piezoelectric mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1， and the transcriptional co-activators Yes-associated protein （Yes-Associated Protein，YAP） and Transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif （Transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif，TAZ）. Distinct types of mechanical forces exert specific effects on cellular behavior and the microenvironment. Clinically， applications such as Negative Pressure Wound Therapy （NPWT） have demonstrated efficacy in promoting angiogenesis-osteogenesis coupling， while tensile forces stimulate the dura mater to secrete osteogenic factors. Preliminary studies using artificial periosteum and other biomaterials have further validated that appropriate mechanical stimulation enhances bone repair. This review summarizes the effects of various mechanical forces and their associated signaling pathways on osteoblasts and their microenvironment， alongside an overview of current technological applications in this field.
