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Updated: May 27, 2025

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Mechanical modulation of docetaxel-treated bladder cancer cells by various changes in cytoskeletal structures

Joanna Zemła1, Claude Verdier2, Marcin Luty1

  • 1Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342, Krakow, Poland.

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
|February 20, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Docetaxel (DTX) alters bladder cancer cell mechanics by affecting cytoskeletal networks. Vimentin intermediate filaments play a key role in modulating these nanomechanical changes and cell migration potential.

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Cytoskeleton targeting agents are crucial cancer chemotherapeutics.
  • Cell rheology is a marker for cancer metastasis and treatment efficacy.
  • Understanding the interplay of actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments is vital for cell biomechanics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare rheological properties of bladder cancer cells T24 and 5637 treated with docetaxel (DTX).
  • To investigate the role of cytoskeletal composition in cellular response to DTX.
  • To elucidate the contribution of vimentin intermediate filaments to cancer cell nanomechanics.

Main Methods:

  • Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for rheological property assessment.
  • Immunostaining and Western blot analysis for cytoskeletal component evaluation.
  • Morphological analysis of cells and nuclei.

Main Results:

  • DTX treatment caused differential stiffening in 5637 cells and varied rheological changes in T24 cells.
  • DTX induced reorganization of microtubules, actin microfilaments, and vimentin intermediate filaments.
  • DTX altered cell and nucleus morphology, decreasing migration in 5637 cells and increasing it in T24 cells.

Conclusions:

  • Vimentin intermediate filaments significantly modulate the nanomechanics of bladder cancer cells.
  • Differential cellular responses to DTX highlight the importance of cytoskeletal composition.
  • Rheological properties influenced by cytoskeletal dynamics offer potential biomechanical markers for cancer therapy.
Keywords:
AFM micro-rheologyCell cytoskeletonCell viscoelasticityChemotherapeuticsPower-law rheology

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