Shape Memory and Shape Changing Polymers in Cell Mechanobiology

The tissues in the human body comprise complex assemblages of several different types of cells that are dispersed on an extracellular matrix (ECM). In addition to biochemical and chemophysical factors, dynamic changes in the mechanical-structural properties of ECM lead to changes in cell behavior such as proliferation, differentiation, and its nature. Since any activity of the cells takes place on a dynamic substrate in the body, it is necessary to provide conditions in which the dynamic environment inside the body can be simulated. Therefore, researchers need intelligent biomaterials that can act as a powerful substrate to design smart cell culture platforms and tissue engineering scaffolds, as well as to simulate this complex environment. Shape memory polymers (SMPs) and shape-changing polymers (SCPs) are the new generations of intelligent materials that can be converted from shape A to shape B in a response to a stimulus, creating new mechanical and structural properties. Although tissue engineering studies on static substrates have been performed so far, it is now clear that the fate of cells in proliferation and differentiation is influenced by the dynamic conditions of the environment. However, recent studies have been focused on designing new substrates to mimic the dynamic microenvironment. In this review article, a brief definition of cell mechanobiology is introduced and then the recent advances in the design of SMPs and SCPs used in fundamental cell mechanobiology studies were highlighted. A survey of the current review can create a more innovative perspective for researchers in this field.