Interplay of adherens junctions and matrix proteolysis determines the invasive pattern and growth of squamous cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma, frequently invade as multicellular units. However, these invading units can be organised in a variety of ways, ranging from thin discontinuous strands to thick 'pushing' collectives. Here we employ an integrated experimental and computational approach to identify the factors that determine the mode of collective cancer cell invasion. We find that matrix proteolysis is linked to the formation of wide strands but has little effect on the maximum extent of invasion. Cell-cell junctions also favour wide strands, but our analysis also reveals a requirement for cell-cell junctions for efficient invasion in response to uniform directional cues. Unexpectedly, the ability to generate wide invasive strands is coupled to the ability to grow effectively when s

SUBMITTER: Kato T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9998089 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature