Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 18, 2025
04:20
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of FAM83A in Cervical Cancer
Published on: February 9, 2024
1.1K
Confinement Suppresses Mechanical Force-Mediated Cancer Cell Apoptosis
Alka Kumari1, Akshay Kumar2, Gao Xu3
1Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|June 25, 2025
Summary
Cancer cell invasion in confined 3D channels suppresses mechanoptosis, a form of cell death. Targeting these cells with ultrasound and contractility activators may inhibit cancer spread.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Cancer cells invade tissues via 3D channels in the extracellular matrix (ECM).
- Mechanical forces, like ultrasound (US), can induce calcium-dependent apoptosis (mechanoptosis) in cancer cells.
- Cellular confinement within these channels induces significant cell deformation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of confinement-induced cell deformation on cancer cell mechanoptosis.
- To identify the molecular mechanisms underlying altered mechanoptosis in confined cancer cells.
- To explore therapeutic strategies targeting invading cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized microchannel platforms to create controlled 3D confined environments.
- Employed tumor spheroid models to mimic in vivo conditions.
- Assessed apoptosis levels, focal adhesion maturation, myosin IIA contractility, and Piezo1 channel distribution.
Main Results:
- Confinement-induced cell deformation significantly suppresses mechanoptosis in cancer cells.
- Apoptosis levels increase as the degree of confinement decreases.
- Reduced mechanoptosis in confined cells is attributed to absent mature focal adhesions, low myosin IIA contractility, and diffuse Piezo1 channels.
Conclusions:
- Cancer cell confinement alters mechanosensing and reduces apoptosis, aiding invasion.
- Therapeutic strategies combining ultrasound and myosin contractility activators show promise for targeting confined invading cancer cells.
More Related Videos
09:57Real Time Detection of In Vitro Tumor Cell Apoptosis Induced by CD8+ T Cells to Study Immune Suppressive Functions of Tumor-infiltrating Myeloid Cells
Published on: January 29, 2019
22.8K
10:59Conditional Knockdown of Gene Expression in Cancer Cell Lines to Study the Recruitment of Monocytes/Macrophages to the Tumor Microenvironment
Published on: November 23, 2017
12.4K
Related Concept Videos
01:13Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
2.8K
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...
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
2.8K
01:12Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
5.1K
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
5.1K
01:35Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia
2.4K
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,...
2.4K
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
8.2K
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
8.2K
02:34Inhibition of Cdk Activity
4.9K
The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
4.9K
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
4.6K
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.6K