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

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

3.1K
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...
3.1K
Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

6.1K
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.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
6.1K
Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia01:35

Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia

2.6K
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,...
2.6K
Basal Lamina are the Specialized Form of ECM01:03

Basal Lamina are the Specialized Form of ECM

3.3K
The basal lamina is a thin extracellular layer that lies underneath the cells and separates them from other tissues. The three layers of the basal lamina are lamina lucida, lamina densa and lamina reticularis. The basal lamina, a mixture of glycoproteins and collagen, provides an attachment site for the epithelium, separating it from underlying connective tissue. The framework of basal lamina has other essential proteins such as laminins mesh, perlecan, entactin, and type IV collagen.
Proteins...
3.3K
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

3.2K
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.
Some...
3.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

MULTIDIMENSIONAL SPATIAL MAPPING OF EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX: CARTILAGINOUS-OSSEOUS COMPOSITE FORMATION, TENDON INTEGRATION AND VASCULARIZATION DURING SKELETAL GROWTH AND REPAIR.

Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research·2026
Same author

PERK orchestrates an endoplasmic reticulum stress alternative splicing program via CLK1/SRSF1.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Replication origin firing capacity indicates ATR inhibitor sensitivity.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Heterogeneous Systemic IgG Responses to Porphyromonas gingivalis Gingipains in Advanced Periodontitis.

Clinical and experimental dental research·2026
Same author

Glycosylated extracellular matrix drives immune suppression by modulating macrophage-T cell crosstalk in triple-negative breast cancer.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Cation-Induced Interphasial Viscosity Variations on Gold Electrocatalysts in Nanoconfined Aqueous Electrolytes.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 20, 2025

How to Study Basement Membrane Stiffness as a Biophysical Trigger in Prostate Cancer and Other Age-related Pathologies or Metabolic Diseases
13:18

How to Study Basement Membrane Stiffness as a Biophysical Trigger in Prostate Cancer and Other Age-related Pathologies or Metabolic Diseases

Published on: September 20, 2016

10.0K

Basement membrane stiffness determines metastases formation.

Raphael Reuten1, Sina Zendehroud2, Monica Nicolau3

  • 1Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. raphael.reuten@bric.ku.dk.

Nature Materials
|January 26, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Basement membrane stiffness, regulated by netrin-4, is crucial for cancer metastasis. Higher netrin-4 levels soften the basement membrane, reducing cancer cell invasion and improving patient survival.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Primary Human Colon Tumor Cells from Surgical Tissues and Culturing Them Directly on Soft Elastic Substrates for Traction Cytometry
09:28

Isolation of Primary Human Colon Tumor Cells from Surgical Tissues and Culturing Them Directly on Soft Elastic Substrates for Traction Cytometry

Published on: June 4, 2015

15.9K
Extracting the Young's Modulus of Native Murine Pulmonary Basement Membranes from Atomic Force Microscopy Derived Force Maps
10:55

Extracting the Young's Modulus of Native Murine Pulmonary Basement Membranes from Atomic Force Microscopy Derived Force Maps

Published on: January 31, 2025

687

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 20, 2025

How to Study Basement Membrane Stiffness as a Biophysical Trigger in Prostate Cancer and Other Age-related Pathologies or Metabolic Diseases
13:18

How to Study Basement Membrane Stiffness as a Biophysical Trigger in Prostate Cancer and Other Age-related Pathologies or Metabolic Diseases

Published on: September 20, 2016

10.0K
Isolation of Primary Human Colon Tumor Cells from Surgical Tissues and Culturing Them Directly on Soft Elastic Substrates for Traction Cytometry
09:28

Isolation of Primary Human Colon Tumor Cells from Surgical Tissues and Culturing Them Directly on Soft Elastic Substrates for Traction Cytometry

Published on: June 4, 2015

15.9K
Extracting the Young's Modulus of Native Murine Pulmonary Basement Membranes from Atomic Force Microscopy Derived Force Maps
10:55

Extracting the Young's Modulus of Native Murine Pulmonary Basement Membranes from Atomic Force Microscopy Derived Force Maps

Published on: January 31, 2025

687

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cancer Biology
  • Extracellular Matrix Research

Background:

  • The basement membrane (BM) is a critical extracellular matrix barrier that cancer cells must breach to metastasize.
  • Understanding the physical properties of the BM and their role in cancer progression is essential for developing new therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of basement membrane stiffness in metastasis formation.
  • To identify key regulators of BM stiffness and their impact on cancer cell invasion.

Main Methods:

  • Biophysical analyses of BM mechanical properties.
  • Functional assays assessing cancer cell transmigration.
  • Mathematical modeling and simulations.
  • Quantification of netrin-4 and laminin protein levels.

Main Results:

  • Basement membrane stiffness is a major determinant of metastasis formation across multiple tissues.
  • Netrin-4 (Net4) was identified as a key regulator of BM stiffness, softening its mechanical properties.
  • Net4 softens the BM by altering laminin node complexes, which decreases cancer cell transmigration despite potentially larger pores.
  • BM stiffness is a more dominant factor than pore size in regulating cancer cell invasion.
  • The ratio of Net4 to laminin dictates BM stiffness, with higher Net4 leading to a softer BM and reduced invasion.

Conclusions:

  • Basement membrane stiffness, rather than pore size, is a dominant factor in controlling cancer cell metastasis.
  • Netrin-4 plays a critical role in modulating BM mechanical properties, thereby influencing cancer cell invasion and patient survival.
  • Netrin-4 levels in native BMs may serve as a prognostic biomarker for patient survival, even preceding tumor formation.