Compressive stress enhances coordinated migration of mammary carcinoma cells

[摘要] (cont.) Accompanied by redistribution of fibronectin deposition, compression enhanced cell-matrix adhesion and stabilized cell distension, thereby promoting coordinated cell migration. Using a stochastic model to simulate 2-D collective cell migration, cell distension and uniform cell migration were found to be crucial factors for effective collective migration. Our finding on compression-induced coordinated migration of mammary carcinoma cells has significant implications for in vivo situations where epithelial cancer cells form a ;;coordinated;; invading mass guided by ;;leader;; cells. Our work suggests that compressive stress generated by proliferating cancer cells can distort their shape, enhance cell-substrate adhesion and stimulate formation of leader cells responsible for collective cell migration. This discovery could open the door to characterization of novel pathways driven by mechanical-stress and improved strategies for cancer treatment.

[发布机构] Massachusetts Institute of Technology