Bulky glycocalyx shields cancer cells from invasion-associated stresses.

ABSTRACT: The glycocalyx-that forms a protective barrier around cells-has been implicated in cancer cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis. However, its role in maintaining the integrity of DNA/nucleus during migration through dense matrices remains unexplored. In this study, we address this question by first documenting heterogeneity in glycocalyx expression in highly invasive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, and establishing a negative correlation between cell size and glycocalyx levels. Next, we set-up transwell migration through 3 µm pores, to isolate two distinct sub-populations and to show that the early migrating cell sub-population possesses a bulkier glycocalyx and undergoes less DNA damage and nuclear rupture, assessed using γH2AX foci formation and nuclear/cytoplasmic distribution of

SUBMITTER: Piplani N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10654248 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature