Nuclear deformation acts as a mechanical switch to drive breast cancer cell migration in a confined microenvironment.

ABSTRACT: Background: Tumour metastasis is the primary cause of high mortality in cancer patients, and the confined migration of cancer cells is the key step in successful metastasis. However, the biomechanical properties of cancer cells during confined migration and the associated mechanotransduction mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, a hydrogel-based microchannel platform was used to investigate the migratory behaviours of breast cancer cells in wide, medium, and narrow microchannels. Methods: Using fluorescence microscopy, we initially characterized MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells cultured in three distinct hydrogel-based microchannel systems and assessed both whole-cell and nuclear morphology. In parallel, cell migration dynamics were quantified via time-lapse imaging. Immuno

SUBMITTER: Wang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12675006 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature