Degradation and Remodeling of Epitaxially Grown Collagen Fibrils.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction—

The extracellular matrix (ECM) in the tumor microenvironment contains high densities of collagen that are highly aligned, resulting in directional migration called contact guidance that facilitates efficient migration out of the tumor. Cancer cells can remodel the ECM through traction force controlled by myosin contractility or proteolytic activity controlled by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, leading to either enhanced or diminished contact guidance.

Methods—

Recently, we have leveraged the ability of mica to epitaxially grow aligned collagen fibrils in order to assess contact guidance. In this article, we probe the mechanisms of remodeling of aligned collagen fibrils on mica by breast cancer cells.

Results—

We show that cells that contact guid

SUBMITTER: Wang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6472930 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature