Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Extracellular Matrix01:29

The Extracellular Matrix

Overview
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.
Composition of the Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse...
The Extracellular Matrix01:42

The Extracellular Matrix

In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.Composition of the Extracellular MatrixThe extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse molecules.
Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM01:23

Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM

Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are enzymes involved in the hydrolysis of proteins and glycoproteins of the extracellular matrix. MMPs are essential for the migration and proliferation of cells through the dense matrix network, throughout embryonic development, and throughout morphogenesis. The first MMP activity discovered was a collagenase in a tadpole's tail undergoing metamorphosis. The active collagen deposition and modifications lead to the morphogenesis of tadpoles into the adult body.
A...
Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions01:24

Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

The extracellular matrix or ECM holds cells together to form a tissue and allows the cells within the tissue to communicate. ECM comprises proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, laminin, etc. The most abundant protein in this space is collagen. Collagen fibers are interwoven with carbohydrate-containing protein molecules called proteoglycans. ECM allows cell migration and provides a structural scaffold at cell adhesion that anchors the cell when the extracellular matrix proteins interact with...
Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia01:35

Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia

Invadosome is a broad category of cell surface structures with proteolytic activity that  degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM). Invadosomes are present in normal cell types, including macrophages, endothelial cells, and neurons, as well as tumor cells. Although the macrophage podosomes and tumor cell invadopodia are classified as invadosomes, they have different structures, molecular pathways, and functions. Podosomes are short structures that last for a few minutes. However, invadopodia can...
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue. 
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Circulating tumor cell-derived lines exhibit an amoeboid mode of migration.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Corrigendum: Soft Matter Physics Meets Cell Biology: Transitions of Collective Cell Migration in 3D Environments.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology·2026
Same author

Glycocalyx micro- and nanodomains in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions revealed by enhanced click chemistry.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Generation of In Vivo-Inspired 3D Collagen Models for Guided Tumor Invasion In Vitro.

Current protocols·2026
Same author

Soft Matter Physics Meets Cell Biology: Transitions of Collective Cell Migration in 3D Environments.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology·2025
Same author

Galectin-9 regulates dendritic cell polarity and uropod contraction by modulating RhoA activity.

The Journal of cell biology·2025
Same journal

Safety evaluation of TOPAZ-1 and KEYNOTE-966 regimens in metastatic biliary tract cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Clinical & experimental metastasis·2026
Same journal

NF1 mutation may be associated with lung-tropic metastasis in cutaneous melanoma: a genomic analysis of 520 patients.

Clinical & experimental metastasis·2026
Same journal

Modeling the role of urokinase-type plasminogen activator, uPA, and circulating cancer-associated fibroblasts (cCAFs) in breast cancer cell extravasation.

Clinical & experimental metastasis·2026
Same journal

Mechanisms of breast cancer dormancy in bone metastasis.

Clinical & experimental metastasis·2026
Same journal

Editorial Expression of Concern: Hypermethylation-mediated inactivation of miR-124 predicts poor prognosis and promotes tumor growth at least partially through targeting EZH2/H3K27me3 in ESCC.

Clinical & experimental metastasis·2026
Same journal

Local control and dose selection for lung cancer brain metastases treated with radiosurgery: an artificial intelligence model.

Clinical & experimental metastasis·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

2D and 3D Matrices to Study Linear Invadosome Formation and Activity
12:25

2D and 3D Matrices to Study Linear Invadosome Formation and Activity

Published on: June 2, 2017

Mapping proteolytic cancer cell-extracellular matrix interfaces.

Katarina Wolf1, Peter Friedl

  • 1Department of Cell Biology (283), Nijmegen Center for Molecular Life Science, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre,Nijmegen, The Netherlands. kata.wolf@gmx.de

Clinical & Experimental Metastasis
|July 5, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cancer cells use specialized surface structures to break down the extracellular matrix (ECM) for invasion. These proteolytic structures facilitate cancer progression and metastasis by remodeling the ECM during migration.

More Related Videos

A Label-Free Segmentation Approach for Intravital Imaging of Mammary Tumor Microenvironment
10:39

A Label-Free Segmentation Approach for Intravital Imaging of Mammary Tumor Microenvironment

Published on: May 24, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 3, 2026

2D and 3D Matrices to Study Linear Invadosome Formation and Activity
12:25

2D and 3D Matrices to Study Linear Invadosome Formation and Activity

Published on: June 2, 2017

A Label-Free Segmentation Approach for Intravital Imaging of Mammary Tumor Microenvironment
10:39

A Label-Free Segmentation Approach for Intravital Imaging of Mammary Tumor Microenvironment

Published on: May 24, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Cancer progression involves cell migration and invasion through the extracellular matrix (ECM).
  • Proteolytic processing of the ECM by cancer cells is crucial for invasion and metastasis.
  • The physical properties of the ECM influence the mechanisms of cancer cell migration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the diverse proteolytic structures involved in cancer cell migration across different extracellular matrix (ECM) environments.
  • To elucidate the specific roles and locations of these proteolytic structures during 3D invasion.

Main Methods:

  • Submicron-resolved imaging of cancer cells (HT1080 fibrosarcoma, MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma) migrating through 3D fibrillar ECM.
  • Analysis of cellular structures rich in filamentous actin, α2 integrin, and MT1-MMP.

Main Results:

  • Cancer cells utilize distinct proteolytic structures for invasion in 3D ECM.
  • These structures include anterior pseudopod bifurcations, lateral spikes, and a proteolytic trailing edge.
  • These structures collectively cleave, remove, and realign ECM fibers, facilitating cell migration and matrix remodeling.

Conclusions:

  • Cancer cell invasion in 3D ECM is mediated by a repertoire of specialized proteolytic structures.
  • These structures dynamically interact with the ECM to overcome physical barriers.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is vital for developing anti-metastatic therapies.