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Related Concept Videos

Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia01:35

Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia

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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,...
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Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
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Cell Migration

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Cell migration, the process by which cells move from one location to another, is essential for the proper development and viability of organisms throughout their life. When cells are not able to migrate properly to their ordained locations, various disorders may occur. For example, disruption in cell migration causes chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
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Cell Migration01:19

Cell Migration

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Cell migration is a process by which the cells move from one location to another, playing an essential role in embryological development, repair and regeneration, immune response, and metastasis. Cells migrate in response to chemical or mechanical signals generated by specific organs or tissues. The overall mechanism includes three steps - polarization, protrusion, and release. Polarization involves the formation of a distinct cell front and rear, which determines the direction of movement.
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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. 
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Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

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Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Quantification of Breast Cancer Cell Invasiveness Using a Three-dimensional 3D Model
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TRPV4 Regulates Breast Cancer Cell Extravasation, Stiffness and Actin Cortex.

Wen Hsin Lee1, Lee Yee Choong1, Naing Naing Mon1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.

Scientific Reports
|June 14, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid subtype 4 (TRPV4) is implicated in cancer metastasis. Targeting TRPV4 may offer new therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcomes in metastatic breast, gastric, and ovarian cancers.

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Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Metastasis significantly impacts patient survival, with current treatments showing limited efficacy.
  • Identifying novel molecular targets is crucial for improving outcomes in metastatic diseases.
  • Understanding the genetic underpinnings of metastasis aids in developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular mechanisms driving cancer metastasis.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for metastatic cancers.
  • To explore the role of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid subtype 4 (TRPV4) in metastasis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized phosphoproteomics on an in vitro model of isogenic cell lines with varying metastatic potential.
  • Analyzed TRPV4 mRNA levels in human epithelial cancers (breast, gastric, ovarian).
  • Performed gene knockdown experiments in mouse xenografts and assessed cell behavior (invasion, migration, softness, blebbing).

Main Results:

  • Phosphoproteomics implicated TRPV4 in breast cancer metastasis.
  • Elevated TRPV4 mRNA levels correlated with poor clinical outcomes in breast, gastric, and ovarian cancers.
  • TRPV4 knockdown reduced metastatic nodules in vivo and impaired cancer cell invasion and transendothelial migration, without affecting proliferation.
  • TRPV4 overexpression increased cancer cell softness and altered actin organization.

Conclusions:

  • TRPV4 plays a critical role in cancer cell extravasation, potentially by modulating cell rigidity via cytoskeletal control.
  • TRPV4 represents a promising therapeutic target for improving treatment strategies against metastatic epithelial cancers.
  • These findings offer new insights into the molecular drivers of cancer metastasis.