J. D. Boerckel

Cyr61 delivery promotes angiogenesis during bone fracture repair

This study shows that Cyr61 delivery enhances angiogenesis during bone fracture repair, particularly in fractures with stable fixation, and may have therapeutic potential for poor vascularization.

Activin A promotes bone fracture repair and acts through a novel myofibroblastic cell population in callus

This study identifies activin A's role in bone fracture repair by promoting a novel myofibroblastic progenitor cell population that drives chondrogenesis and osteogenesis.

Stress vesicles are induced by acute mechanical force and precede the commitment of epidermal stem cells to terminal differentiation

This study shows that mechanical stress induces stress vesicles in epidermal stem cells, which are linked to cell fate and regulated by Piezo1 and calcium dynamics.

Mechano-epigenetic regulation of extracellular matrix homeostasis via Yap and Taz

The paper shows that mechanical tension regulates tendon cell function through Yap/Taz by modulating chromatin accessibility and catabolic gene expression.

Mechanotransductive feedback control of endothelial cell motility and vascular morphogenesis

This study identifies a mechanotransductive feedback loop involving YAP and TAZ that regulates endothelial cell motility and vascular morphogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

Single-component optogenetic tools for inducible RhoA GTPase signaling

The paper develops optogenetic tools to control RhoA GTPase signaling by directly recruiting effectors to the plasma membrane with light, enabling precise spatiotemporal regulation of actin organization and mechanotransduction.

Effects of chondrogenic priming duration on mechanoregulation of engineered cartilage anlagen.

This study investigates how the duration of chondrogenic priming affects the response of engineered cartilage anlagen to dynamic mechanical compression, showing that priming duration modulates mechanical and biochemical outcomes.

Mechanical Regulation of Microvascular Angiogenesis

This study investigates how mechanical strain on the extracellular matrix affects microvascular angiogenesis, finding that timing and magnitude of compression significantly influence vessel growth and signaling pathways.

Scaffold-free human mesenchymal stem cell construct geometry regulates long bone regeneration

This study shows that scaffold-free human mesenchymal stem cell tubes, with specific geometry and morphogen presentation, enhance endochondral bone regeneration in critical-sized femoral defects compared to loose hMSC sheets.

Osteocytes remodel bone by TGF-β-induced YAP/TAZ signaling

This study shows YAP/TAZ signaling in osteocytes is downstream of TGF-β and controls bone remodeling by regulating matrix proteases and coordinating osteoblast/osteoclast activity.

Combinatorial morphogenetic and mechanical cues to mimic bone development for defect repair

The paper demonstrates that engineered human mesenchymal stem cell condensations with dual BMP-2 and TGF-β1 promote functional healing of critical-sized femoral defects via endochondral ossification, with healing rate and extent dependent on in vivo mechanical environment.

Effects of BMP-2 on neovascularization during large bone defect regeneration

This study investigates whether BMP-2 promotes neovascularization directly or indirectly during bone regeneration and finds that it acts through paracrine signaling.

Recapitulating bone development for tissue regeneration through engineered mesenchymal condensations and mechanical cues

This study shows that mechanical loading enhances bone regeneration through engineered mesenchymal condensations, mimicking endochondral ossification without heterotopic bone formation.

Persistent cell motility requires transcriptional feedback of cytoskeletal - focal adhesion equilibrium by YAP/TAZ

The paper shows that YAP/TAZ transcriptional feedback is essential for maintaining cytoskeletal-focal adhesion equilibrium and persistent cell motility.

Intraoperative biomechanics of lumbar pedicle screw loosening following successful arthrodesis

The paper quantifies pedicle screw loosening in patients with recurrent back pain after spinal fusion and identifies factors associated with increased loosening.