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Related Concept Videos

Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

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...

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Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Modeling the Effects of Hemodynamic Stress on Circulating Tumor Cells using a Syringe and Needle
05:49

Modeling the Effects of Hemodynamic Stress on Circulating Tumor Cells using a Syringe and Needle

Published on: April 27, 2021

Model Circulating Tumor Cells Induced by Mechanical Stress.

Yusheng Qian1, Pawel A Osmulski1, Maria Gaczynska2

  • 1Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|July 9, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Researchers created "model CTCs" by exposing cells to fluid shear stress in microfluidics. These model CTCs mimic the mechanical properties of patient-derived circulating tumor cells (CTCs), offering a better research model.

Keywords:
AdhesionAtomic force microscopyCell modelsCirculating tumor cellsCultured cellsDeformabilityElasticityFluid shear stressForce spectrometryMechanical propertiesMicrofluidicsStiffness

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Isolation and Propagation of Circulating Tumor Cells from a Mouse Cancer Model
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Isolation and Propagation of Circulating Tumor Cells from a Mouse Cancer Model

Published on: October 9, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Modeling the Effects of Hemodynamic Stress on Circulating Tumor Cells using a Syringe and Needle
05:49

Modeling the Effects of Hemodynamic Stress on Circulating Tumor Cells using a Syringe and Needle

Published on: April 27, 2021

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

Isolation and Propagation of Circulating Tumor Cells from a Mouse Cancer Model
05:22

Isolation and Propagation of Circulating Tumor Cells from a Mouse Cancer Model

Published on: October 9, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Cellular and Molecular Mechanobiology
  • Cancer Metastasis Research
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) possess unique mechanical properties distinct from tumor-resident cells.
  • CTCs must overcome significant biomechanical challenges during metastasis, including detachment, intravasation, circulation stress, and extravasation.
  • Standard adherent carcinoma cell lines are inadequate models for studying CTCs due to their differing mechanical phenotypes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a more accurate in vitro model of circulating tumor cells (CTCs).
  • To investigate the mechanotransduction processes experienced by CTCs during metastasis.
  • To generate model CTCs that replicate the mechanical characteristics of patient-isolated CTCs.

Main Methods:

  • Generation of "model CTCs" by applying circulation-imitating fluid shear stress (FSS) to established carcinoma cell lines.
  • Utilized a microfluidic system to simulate the biomechanical environment of blood circulation.
  • Characterization of model CTCs using atomic force microscopy (AFM) for nanomechanical phenotyping.

Main Results:

  • Model CTCs generated under FSS exhibited distinct nanomechanical properties compared to their non-stressed counterparts.
  • The nanomechanical profile of model CTCs closely resembled that of CTCs isolated directly from cancer patients.
  • This suggests that mechanical forces encountered during circulation significantly alter cell properties.

Conclusions:

  • Model CTCs generated via microfluidic FSS provide a superior in vitro system for studying CTC mechanobiology.
  • These model CTCs are suitable for investigating mechanotransduction pathways relevant to metastasis.
  • The study highlights the critical role of mechanical forces in shaping CTC phenotypes and their metastatic potential.