3D collagen architecture induces a conserved migratory and transcriptional response linked to vasculogenic mimicry.

ABSTRACT: The topographical organization of collagen within the tumor microenvironment has been implicated in modulating cancer cell migration and independently predicts progression to metastasis. Here, we show that collagen matrices with small pores and short fibers, but not Matrigel, trigger a conserved transcriptional response and subsequent motility switch in cancer cells resulting in the formation of multicellular network structures. The response is not mediated by hypoxia, matrix stiffness, or bulk matrix density, but rather by matrix architecture-induced β1-integrin upregulation. The transcriptional module associated with network formation is enriched for migration and vasculogenesis-associated genes that predict survival in patient data across nine distinct tumor types. Evidence of this gene

SUBMITTER: Velez DO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5698427 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature