Research.
Every peer-reviewed study on fascia in one place — graded for strength of evidence, summarised in plain language for clinicians, researchers, and curious readers.
We grade studies from A to 1A+++ using the Fascia Research Database rubric — 1A+++ is the strongest.
Researchers behind the studies- A2006
Migration of tumor cells in 3D matrices is governed by matrix stiffness along with cell-matrix adhesion and proteolysis
Muhammad H Zaman, Linda M Trapani, Alisha L Sieminski, Drew MacKellar, Haiyan Gong, Roger D Kamm, Alan Wells, Douglas A…This study investigated how tumor cells move in a three-dimensional environment similar to body tissues. Researchers found that in addition to the cell's ability to adhere to and pull on its surroundings, the stiffness…
extracellular matrixmatrix metalloproteinasecell motilityEGF receptor - B2006
Hyaluronan Fragments Act as an Endogenous Danger Signal by Engaging TLR2
Kara A Scheibner, Michael A Lutz, Sada Boodoo, Matthew J Fenton, Jonathan D Powell, Maureen R HortonHyaluronan (HA) is a common component of the body's connective tissue. This study investigates how different sizes of HA molecules affect the immune system. When tissue is injured, large HA molecules are broken down int…
hyaluronanhafasciaextracellular matrixtisssue - B2006
Viscoelastic Retraction of Single Living Stress Fibers and Its Impact on Cell Shape, Cytoskeletal Organization, and Extracellular Matrix Mechanics
Sanjay Kumar, Iva Z Maxwell, Alexander Heisterkamp, Thomas R Polte, Tanmay P Lele, Matthew Salanga, Eric Mazur, Donald…Cells maintain their shape and interact with their surroundings using internal tension cables called stress fibers. Using a microscopic laser to cut individual stress fibers inside living cells, researchers studied how…
extracellular matrixcytoskeletonactinstress fiber - A+++2006
Mechanisms of interstitial flow-induced remodeling of fibroblast-collagen cultures
Chee Ping Ng, Melody A SwartzThis study investigates how the movement of fluid through tissues, known as interstitial flow, influences the organization of connective tissue cells and collagen. Researchers found that slow fluid movement causes colla…
extracellular matrixRemodeling - A2006
Mechanisms of Mechanotransduction
A Wayne Orr, Brian P Helmke, Brett R Blackman, Martin A SchwartzThis review describes mechanotransduction, the process by which cells sense and respond to physical forces. The researchers explain that nearly all living organisms, from bacteria to humans, are sensitive to mechanical…
extracellular matrixcytoskeletonmechanotransductionfocal adhesion - A2005
Cell tension, matrix mechanics, and cancer development
Sui Huang, Donald E IngberDoctors can often diagnose cancer by feeling for tissue stiffness, and this study explores how this mechanical property contributes to cancer development. The researchers suggest that the stiff extracellular matrix in t…
extracellular matrixcancercytoskeletonmechanotransduction - A2003
New and active role of the interstitium in control of interstitial fluid pressure: potential therapeutic consequences
H Wiig, K Rubin, R K ReedThis review challenges the traditional view of the interstitium as merely a passive fluid reservoir. The researchers present data suggesting that connective tissue cells and the extracellular matrix actively regulate in…
inflammationextracellular matrixInterstitial fluid volumeintegrins edema - A2003
Mechanobiology and diseases of mechanotransduction
Donald E IngberThis 2003 article argues that medicine often overlooks the physical and mechanical aspects of disease, focusing instead on genetics. The author reviews how physical forces and the extracellular matrix are vital for norm…
extracellular matrixcytoskeletonmechanotransductionIntegrinstissue engineering - B2002
Oligosaccharides of Hyaluronan Activate Dendritic Cells via Toll-like Receptor 4
Christian Termeer, Frauke Benedix, Jonathon Sleeman, Christina Fieber, Ursula Voith, Thomas Ahrens, Kensuke Miyake, Mar…During inflammation, components of our connective tissue like hyaluronic acid (HA) can break down. This study investigated how small fragments of HA affect the immune system. Researchers found that these fragments activ…
hyaluronanextracellular matrixtoll-like receptorsglycosaminoglycansdendritic cells - A1999
Tensegrity and mechanoregulation: from skeleton to cytoskeleton
Christopher S Chen, Donald E IngberThis review article explores how mechanical forces are transmitted from the whole body down to individual cells. The authors propose that a design principle called "tensegrity," which uses continuous tension and local c…
extracellular matrixTensegritycytoskeletonmechanotransductionIntegrins - A1997
Tensegrity: The Architectural Basis of Cellular Mechanotransduction
D E IngberThis 1997 review article proposes a model for how cells sense and respond to physical forces, a process called mechanotransduction. The author suggests that cells are built using 'tensegrity' architecture, a system of b…
extracellular matrixsignal transductioncytoskeletonIntegrinsmechanoreceptor - A1987
Endothelial Growth Factors and Extracellular Matrix Regulate Dna Synthesis Through Modulation of Cell and Nuclear Expansion
Donald E Ingber, Joseph A Madri,, Judah FolkmanThis study investigated how the extracellular matrix (ECM) and growth factors work together to regulate the growth of capillary endothelial cells, which line blood vessels. Researchers found that these cells needed both…
extracellular matrixgrowth factorsnuclear modulationcell modulation