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Cell and Tissue Nanomechanics: From Early Development to Carcinogenesis
Mikhail E Shmelev1, Sergei I Titov1, Andrei S Belousov1
1Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia.
Biomedicines
|February 25, 2022
Summary
Cell and tissue nanomechanics reveals how cancer mimics embryonic development. Understanding these mechanical changes in the tumor microenvironment may lead to new cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Research
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cell and tissue nanomechanics offers new insights into normal and diseased tissues.
- Carcinogenesis shares mechanical parallels with embryonic development, involving altered tissue stiffness and cellular properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of nanomechanics in carcinogenesis.
- To understand the relationship between the mechanical microenvironment and cancer progression.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets based on nanomechanical principles.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution physical mapping.
- Analysis of cellular and extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanical properties.
- Investigation of cytoskeleton and nuclear scaffold rearrangements.
- Study of cancer stem cell niches and their nanomechanical feedback loops.
Main Results:
- Carcinogenesis involves increased ECM stiffness and cellular softness/fluidity, resembling embryonic tissue properties.
- A complete rearrangement of the tissue skeleton (ECM, cytoskeleton, nuclear scaffold) occurs in cancer.
- Altered nanomechanics in cancer stem cell niches promote tumor growth and metastasis.
Conclusions:
- Nanomechanical changes are fundamental to cancer development and progression.
- The concept of ECM-mediated nanomechanical feedback loops in cancer offers a novel therapeutic avenue.
- Targeting these nanomechanical properties could lead to innovative cancer treatment strategies.
Keywords:
FAC complexYAP/TAZcancercarcinogenesiscytoskeletonextracellular matrixintermediate filamentsmechanotransductionmicrofilamentsmicrotubulesstem cell nicheMore Related Videos
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