Transcriptome and secretome analysis of mechanically stretched osteocytic cells reveals activation of signalling pathways implicated in bone regeneration and DNA-repair systems

Osteocytes are secretory bone cells that can play an important role in regenerative rehabilitation through their secretome. Making use of RNA-seq and bioinformatics we examined the transcriptome of mouse and human osteocytic bone cells cultured under cyclic tension delivered by a computer-controlled bioreactor. We discovered that a single bout of tensile stretch is enough to activate signalling pathways or processes implicated in bone tissue regeneration, and DNA-repair systems which are relevant to cancer. This results are valuable to the scientific community by allowing to inform future exercise-based regenerative rehabilitation protocols targeting musculoskeletal disorders or cancer.