Fiber density and matrix stiffness modulate distinct cell migration modes in a 3D stroma mimetic composite hydrogel.

ABSTRACT: The peritumoral stroma is a complex 3D tissue that provides cells with myriad biophysical and biochemical cues. Histologic observations suggest that during metastatic spread of carcinomas, these cues influence transformed epithelial cells, prompting a diversity of migration modes spanning single cell and multicellular phenotypes. Purported consequences of these variations in tumor escape strategies include differential metastatic capability and therapy resistance. Therefore, understanding how cues from the peritumoral stromal microenvironment regulate migration mode has both prognostic and therapeutic value. Here, we utilize a synthetic stromal mimetic in which matrix fiber density and bulk hydrogel mechanics can be orthogonally tuned to investigate the contribution of these two key matrix

SUBMITTER: Hiraki HL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10043045 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature