MicroRNAs: a critical regulator under mechanical force.

Mechanical force is a kind of mechanical stimuli which actively participates in manipulating cellular activities in numerous types of cells. Progress in molecular and genetic research has uncovered various regulatory mechanisms underlying mechanical force-induced changes in cellular activities, which include both transcriptional regulation and post-transcriptional regulation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 20-25 nucleotide (nt) non-coding RNAs which serve as post-transcriptional regulators of multiple physiological processes. To date, considerable research effort has been focused on the expressions and functions of miRNAs in a wide range of biological and pathological processes, including but not limited to development, proliferation, metabolism and osteogenic differentiation. In this review, major emphasis is placed on the biogenesis, expressions and functions of miRNAs in a mechanical environment.