Cellular traction stresses mediate extracellular matrix degradation by invadopodia.

ABSTRACT: During tumorigenesis, matrix rigidity can drive oncogenic transformation via altered cellular proliferation and migration. Cells sense extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanical properties with intracellular tensile forces generated by actomyosin contractility. These contractile forces are transmitted to the matrix surface as traction stresses, which mediate mechanical interactions with the ECM. Matrix rigidity has been shown to increase proteolytic ECM degradation by cytoskeletal structures known as invadopodia that are critical for cancer progression, suggesting that cellular contractility promotes invasive behavior. However, both increases and decreases in traction stresses have been associated with metastatic behavior. Therefore, the role of cellular contractility in invasive migration lead

SUBMITTER: Jerrell RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3976707 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature