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Polarization increases nuclear stiffness in macrophages despite reduction in lamin A/C levels.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Direct Force Measurements of Subcellular Mechanics in Confinement using Optical Tweezers
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Nuclear deformability constitutes a rate-limiting step during cell migration in 3-D environments.

Patricia M Davidson1, Celine Denais1, Maya C Bakshi1

  • 1Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853; USA.

Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering
|December 2, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Cell nucleus stiffness impacts cell movement through narrow spaces. Reducing nuclear stiffness, by lowering lamin A/C levels, enhances cell passage, potentially affecting cancer metastasis.

Keywords:
Lamincancerinvasionmechanicsmetastasismicrofluidicsmicrostructuresnuclear envelopenucleus

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Cell motility is crucial for physiological and pathological processes like wound healing and cancer metastasis.
  • Cell migration in 3-D environments presents unique physical challenges compared to 2-D migration.
  • The cell nucleus, being large and stiff, can obstruct cell passage through narrow constrictions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of nuclear deformability in cell passage through small constrictions.
  • To determine if altering nuclear stiffness affects cell migration in confined spaces.
  • To explore the implications of nuclear properties in cancer cell invasion and metastasis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized novel microfluidic devices for high-resolution observation of cell migration.
  • Quantified cell passage through precisely defined geometries smaller than the nucleus.
  • Manipulated levels of nuclear envelope proteins lamins A/C to alter nuclear stiffness.

Main Results:

  • Nuclear deformability was identified as a critical factor for cells navigating constrictions.
  • Cells with reduced lamins A/C exhibited significantly faster passage through narrow constrictions.
  • This effect was observed during both active migration and passive perfusion.

Conclusions:

  • Nuclear stiffness is a key biophysical determinant of cell transendothelial migration.
  • Reduced nuclear stiffness, potentially through altered lamin expression, may facilitate cancer cell invasion.
  • Findings suggest a novel mechanism linking nuclear structure to cancer metastasis.