Effects of mechanical forces and stretch on intercellular gap junction coupling

► Cells can be affected by pressure, cyclic and static stretch, strain, shear stress. ► In this review, we describe how these various mechanical forces can be sensed by cells. ► We review how these mechanical forces lead to changes in the intercellular communication. ► This process leads to re-arrangement of cells and to changes in the cell's functional orientation. ► These processes are important for general understanding of cell biology and organ development.