Recent studies have suggested that the physical characteristics of extracellular matrix(ECM), especially the stiffness or elasticity, played an important role in regulating cellular functions and behaviors, including adhesion, spreading, migration, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and so on. Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) are important for cell therapy and tissue engineering. ECM stiffness can induce MSCs into cells of adipose tissue, cartilage, nerve, muscle, bone and others. This review discussed t...