Objective To summary the regulatory effect of mechanical stimulation on macrophage polarization in wound healing, and explore the application prospect of mechanical stimulation in tissue engineering. Methods The related domestic and foreign literature in recent years was extensive reviewed, and the different phenotypes of macrophages and their roles in wound healing, the effect of mechanical stimulation on macrophage polarization and its application in tissue engineering were analyzed. Results Macrophages have functional diversity, with two phenotypes: pro-inflammatory (M1 type) and anti-inflammatory (M2 type), and the cells exhibit different activation phenotypes and play corresponding functions under different stimuli. The mechanical force of different types, sizes, and amplitudes can directly or indirectly guide macrophages to transform into different phenotypes, and then affect tissue repair. This feature can be used in tissue engineering to selectively regulate macrophage polarization. Conclusion Mechanical stimulation plays an vital role in regulating macrophage polarization, but its specific role and mechanism remain ambiguous and need to be further explored.
