Microvesicles released from tumor cells disrupt epithelial cell morphology and contractility
Francois Bordeleau1, Bryan Chan1, Marc A Antonyak2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
Journal of Biomechanics
|October 20, 2015
Summary
Cancer cell-derived microvesicles (MVs) prompt non-malignant epithelial cells to reorganize the extracellular matrix (ECM). This process involves increased cell contractility and is crucial for tumor microenvironment remodeling.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
- Biophysics
Background:
- Tumor progression involves complex interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment.
- Cancer cell-derived microvesicles (MVs) mediate intercellular communication.
- Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is a hallmark of cancer progression, typically attributed to fibroblasts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cancer cell-derived MVs in influencing non-malignant epithelial cells.
- To determine if non-malignant epithelial cells can participate in ECM reorganization upon MV treatment.
- To elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying MV-induced ECM changes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized MCF10a (non-malignant breast epithelial) cells and MVs from MDA-MB-231 (aggressive breast carcinoma) cells.
- Cultured cells in 3D collagen matrices to observe ECM reorganization.
- Measured cellular traction force, acto-myosin contractility, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity.
Main Results:
- Non-malignant epithelial cells, treated with cancer cell-derived MVs, actively reorganized 3D collagen matrices.
- MV treatment induced significant changes in epithelial cell behavior under 3D culture.
- Observed increased cellular traction force, acto-myosin contractility, and FAK activity post-MV treatment.
Conclusions:
- Cancer cell-derived MVs can induce non-malignant epithelial cells to remodel the ECM.
- Enhanced epithelial cell contractility, driven by MVs, contributes to ECM reorganization.
- This highlights a novel mechanism by which tumor cells influence their microenvironment, potentially impacting metastasis.
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