Formation of Tethers from Spreading Cellular Aggregates.

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biophysics
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Membrane tubes typically form from cells and vesicles under external force.
• Lymph node cancer prostate (LNCaP) cell aggregates exhibit strong cell-cell adhesion, limiting substrate spreading.
• Cellular motility at the aggregate periphery can overcome cell-cell adhesion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the spontaneous formation of membrane tubes in LNCaP cell aggregates.
• To understand the mechanisms driving cell extrusion from cohesive cancer cell aggregates.
• To explore the implications of membrane tube formation for cancer progression, specifically epithelial mesenchymal transition and metastasis.

Main Methods:

• Observation of LNCaP cell aggregates on fibronectin-coated glass substrates.
• Analysis of cell motility and membrane dynamics at the aggregate periphery.
• Interpretation of tube formation and retraction using principles of membrane mechanics.

Main Results:

• Spontaneous formation of membrane tubes from LNCaP cell aggregates was observed in the absence of applied external forces.
• Motile peripheral cells attempting to escape the aggregate initiated tube formation.
• Tethered networks, cargo exchange, tube growth, retraction, and rupture were documented.

Conclusions:

• Cohesive cancer cells can escape aggregates via spontaneous membrane tube formation.
• This process may contribute to epithelial mesenchymal transition and subsequent tumor metastasis.
• Membrane mechanics provides a framework for understanding the dynamics of these cellular extrusions.