Extracellular Matrix Stiffness Regulates Osteogenic Differentiation through MAPK Activation
Fig 7
Upon exposure to a stiff ECM environment, the Rho signaling pathway is activated, and ERK or JNK signaling is induced. Activated ERK or JNK promotes the nuclear localization of TAZ and activates the expression of TAZ target genes, including RUNX2-mediated osteoblastic marker genes.