Pathogen-host infection modulated by mechanobiological cues in tissue microenvironments

Mechanical microenvironments are increasingly recognized as a key regulator of host-pathogen interactions. External mechanical stimuli, including shear stress, cyclic stretch, and hydrostatic pressure, strongly modulate bacterial adhesion and invasion. Yet, how mechanobiological cues in tissue microenvironments shape bacterial pathogenesis is still poorly understood. In a recent study, Han and colleagues demonstrate that a variety of pathogens exploit mechanobiological cues in tissue microenvironments to facilitate infections. These findings identify cellular mechanics as a pivotal and underappreciated determinant during bacterial infections and shed light on the discovery and development of alternative mechanobiology-driven antimicrobial strategies.