Stopping transformed cancer cell growth by rigidity sensing

An Overview of Cancer Biology, Pathophysiological Development and It's Treatment Modalities: Current Challenges of Cancer anti-Angiogenic Therapy

A number of conditions and factors can cause the transformation of normal cells in the body into malignant tissue by changing the normal functions of a wide range of regulatory, apoptotic, and signal transduction pathways. Despite the current deficiency in fully understanding the mechanism of cancer action accurately and clearly, numerous genes and proteins that are causally involved in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancer have been identified. But due to the lack of space and the abundance of details on this complex topic, we have emphasized here more recent advances in our understanding of the principles implied tumor cell transformation, development, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Inhibition of angiogenesis is a significant strategy for the treatment of various solid tumors, that essentially depend on cutting or at least limiting the supply of blood to micro-regions of tumors, leading to pan-hypoxia and pan-necrosis inside solid tumor tissues. Researchers have continued to enhance the efficiency of anti-angiogenic drugs over the past two decades, to identify their potential in the drug interaction, and to discover reasonable interpretations for possible resistance to treatment. In this review, we have discussed an overview of cancer history and recent methods use in cancer therapy, focusing on anti-angiogenic inhibitors targeting angiogenesis formation. Further, this review has explained the molecular mechanism of action of these anti-angiogenic inhibitors in various tumor types and their limitations use. In addition, we described the synergistic mechanisms of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy and summarizes current clinical trials of these combinations. Many phase III trials found that combining immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy improved survival. Therefore, targeting the source supply of cancer cells to grow and spread with new anti-angiogenic agents in combination with different conventional therapy is a novel method to reduce cancer progression. The aim of this paper is to overview the varying concepts of cancer focusing on mechanisms involved in tumor angiogenesis and provide an overview of the recent trends in anti-angiogenic strategies for cancer therapy.

Differential Talin cleavage in transformed and non-transformed cells and its consequences

This study investigates differences in focal adhesion (FA) morphology and Talin cleavage levels between transformed and non-transformed cell lines. Utilizing fluorescently tagged wild-type Talin and Talin mutants with calpain cleavage site mutations, FA structures were visualized. Mutations in different Talin cleavage sites showed varying impacts on FA morphology and distribution across melanoma cell lines (Meljuso, A375P, A2058) and a non-transformed cell line (HFF). Western blot analysis, ratiometric fluorescence intensity-based measurements, and FRAP experiments revealed higher Talin cleavage levels within FAs of transformed cell lines compared to non-transformed cells. Additionally, growth assays indicated that reducing calpain cleavage levels attenuated transformed cell growth. These findings suggest that Talin cleavage level is crucial for FA morphology and assembly, with higher levels observed in transformed cells, influencing their growth dynamics.

Engineering approaches for understanding mechanical memory in cancer metastasis

Understanding cancer metastasis is crucial for advancing therapeutic strategies and improving clinical outcomes. Cancer cells face dynamic changes in their mechanical microenvironment that occur on timescales ranging from minutes to years and exhibit a spectrum of cellular transformations in response to these mechanical cues. A crucial facet of this adaptive response is the concept of mechanical memory, in which mechanosensitive cell behavior and function persists even when mechanical cues are altered. This review explores the evolving mechanical landscape during metastasis, emphasizing the significance of mechanical memory and its influence on cell behavior. We then focus on engineering techniques that are being utilized to probe mechanical memory of cancer cells. Finally, we highlight promising translational approaches poised to harness mechanical memory for new therapies, thereby advancing the frontiers of bioengineering applications in cancer research.

Insights into the mechanobiology of cancer metastasis via microfluidic technologies

During cancer metastasis, cancer cells will encounter various microenvironments with diverse physical characteristics. Changes in these physical characteristics such as tension, stiffness, viscosity, compression, and fluid shear can generate biomechanical cues that affect cancer cells, dynamically influencing numerous pathophysiological mechanisms. For example, a dense extracellular matrix drives cancer cells to reorganize their cytoskeleton structures, facilitating confined migration, while this dense and restricted space also acts as a physical barrier that potentially results in nuclear rupture. Identifying these pathophysiological processes and understanding their underlying mechanobiological mechanisms can aid in the development of more effective therapeutics targeted to cancer metastasis. In this review, we outline the advances of engineering microfluidic devices in vitro and their role in replicating tumor microenvironment to mimic in vivo settings. We highlight the potential cellular mechanisms that mediate their ability to adapt to different microenvironments. Meanwhile, we also discuss some important mechanical cues that still remain challenging to replicate in current microfluidic devices in future direction. While much remains to be explored about cancer mechanobiology, we believe the developments of microfluidic devices will reveal how these physical cues impact the behaviors of cancer cells. It will be crucial in the understanding of cancer metastasis, and potentially contributing to better drug development and cancer therapy.

Membrane to cortex attachment determines different mechanical phenotypes in LGR5+ and LGR5- colorectal cancer cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) tumors are composed of heterogeneous and plastic cell populations, including a pool of cancer stem cells that express LGR5. Whether these distinct cell populations display different mechanical properties, and how these properties might contribute to metastasis is poorly understood. Using CRC patient derived organoids (PDOs), we find that compared to LGR5- cells, LGR5+ cancer stem cells are stiffer, adhere better to the extracellular matrix (ECM), move slower both as single cells and clusters, display higher nuclear YAP, show a higher survival rate in response to mechanical confinement, and form larger transendothelial gaps. These differences are largely explained by the downregulation of the membrane to cortex attachment proteins Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin (ERMs) in the LGR5+ cells. By analyzing single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) expression patterns from a patient cohort, we show that this downregulation is a robust signature of colorectal tumors. Our results show that LGR5- cells display a mechanically dynamic phenotype suitable for dissemination from the primary tumor whereas LGR5+ cells display a mechanically stable and resilient phenotype suitable for extravasation and metastatic growth.

YAP mediates apoptosis through failed integrin adhesion reinforcement

Extracellular matrix (ECM) rigidity is a major effector of cell fate decisions. Whereas cell proliferation on stiff matrices, wherein Yes-associated protein (YAP) plays a pivotal role, is well documented, activation of apoptosis in response to soft matrices is poorly understood. Here, we show that YAP drives the apoptotic decision as well. We find that in cells on soft matrices, YAP is recruited to small adhesions, phosphorylated at the Y357 residue, and translocated into the nucleus, ultimately leading to apoptosis. In contrast, Y357 phosphorylation levels are dramatically low in large adhesions on stiff matrices. Furthermore, mild attenuation of actomyosin contractility allows adhesion growth on soft matrices, leading to reduced Y357 phosphorylation levels and resulting in cell growth. These findings indicate that failed adhesion reinforcement drives rigidity-dependent apoptosis through YAP and that this decision is not determined solely by ECM rigidity but rather by the balance between cellular forces and ECM rigidity.

Regulation of protein synthesis and stability by mechanical cues and its implications in cancer

Elevated tissue stiffness is a common feature of many solid tumors and the downstream mechanical signaling affects many cellular processes and contributes to cancer progression. Significant progress has been made in understanding how the mechanical properties of the matrix affect cancer cell behavior as well as transcription. However, how the same mechanical cues impact protein synthesis and stability and how this may contribute to disease is less well understood. Here, we present emerging evidence that cancer progression is frequently supported by gene regulation acting beyond the mRNA level and highlight some of the known crosstalk between this type of regulation and mechanotransduction in cancer as well as in other contexts. We suggest that future systematic approaches to define mechanosensitive translatomes and proteomes and how these are controlled may provide novel targets for cancer therapy.

Force-Regulated Spontaneous Conformational Changes of Integrins α5β1 and αVβ3

Integrins are cell surface nanosized receptors crucial for cell motility and mechanosensing of the extracellular environment, which are often targeted for the development of biomaterials and nanomedicines. As a key feature of integrins, their activity, structure and behavior are highly mechanosensitive, which are regulated by mechanical forces down to pico-Newton scale. Using single-molecule biomechanical approaches, we compared the force-modulated ectodomain bending/unbending conformational changes of two integrin species, α5β1 and αVβ3. It was found that the conformation of integrin α5β1 is determined by a threshold head-to-tail tension. By comparison, integrin αVβ3 exhibits bistability even without force and can spontaneously transition between the bent and extended conformations with an apparent transition time under a wide range of forces. Molecular dynamics simulations observed almost concurrent disruption of ∼2 hydrogen bonds during integrin α5β1 unbending, but consecutive disruption of ∼7 hydrogen bonds during integrin αVβ3 unbending. Accordingly, we constructed a canonical energy landscape for integrin α5β1 with a single energy well that traps the integrin in the bent state until sufficient force tilts the energy landscape to allow the conformational transition. In contrast, the energy landscape of integrin αVβ3 conformational changes was constructed with hexa-stable intermediate states and intermediate energy barriers that segregate the conformational change process into multiple small steps. Our study elucidates the different biomechanical inner workings of integrins α5β1 and αVβ3 at the submolecular level, helps understand their mechanosignaling processes and how their respective functions are facilitated by their distinctive mechanosensitivities, and provides useful design principles for the engineering of protein-based biomechanical nanomachines.

Recent Advancement in Elimination Strategies and Potential Rejuvenation Targets of Senescence

Cellular senescence is a state of exiting the cell cycle, resisting apoptosis, and changing phenotype. Senescent cells (SCs) can be identified by large, distorted morphology and irreversible inability to replicate. In early development, senescence has beneficial roles like tissue patterning and wound healing, where SCs are cleared by the immune system. However, there is a steep rise in SC number as organisms age. The issue with SC accumulation stems from the loss of cellular function, alterations of the microenvironment, and secretions of pro-inflammatory molecules, consisting of cytokines, chemokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), interleukins, and extracellular matrix (ECM)-associated molecules. This secreted cocktail is referred to as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), a hallmark of cellular senescence. The SASP promotes inflammation and displays a bystander effect where paracrine signaling turns proliferating cells into senescent states. To alleviate age-associated diseases, researchers have developed novel methods and techniques to selectively eliminate SCs in aged individuals. Although studies demonstrated that selectively killing SCs improves age-related disorders, there are drawbacks to SC removal. Considering favorable aspects of senescence in the body, this paper reviews recent advancements in elimination strategies and potential rejuvenation targets of senescence to bring researchers in the field up to date.

Biophysical control of plasticity and patterning in regeneration and cancer

Cells and tissues display a remarkable range of plasticity and tissue-patterning activities that are emergent of complex signaling dynamics within their microenvironments. These properties, which when operating normally guide embryogenesis and regeneration, become highly disordered in diseases such as cancer. While morphogens and other molecular factors help determine the shapes of tissues and their patterned cellular organization, the parallel contributions of biophysical control mechanisms must be considered to accurately predict and model important processes such as growth, maturation, injury, repair, and senescence. We now know that mechanical, optical, electric, and electromagnetic signals are integral to cellular plasticity and tissue patterning. Because biophysical modalities underly interactions between cells and their extracellular matrices, including cell cycle, metabolism, migration, and differentiation, their applications as tuning dials for regenerative and anti-cancer therapies are being rapidly exploited. Despite this, the importance of cellular communication through biophysical signaling remains disproportionately underrepresented in the literature. Here, we provide a review of biophysical signaling modalities and known mechanisms that initiate, modulate, or inhibit plasticity and tissue patterning in models of regeneration and cancer. We also discuss current approaches in biomedical engineering that harness biophysical control mechanisms to model, characterize, diagnose, and treat disease states.

Implications of Cellular Mechanical Memory in Bioengineering

The ability to maintain and differentiate cells in vitro is critical to many advances in the field of bioengineering. However, on traditional, stiff (E ≈ GPa) culture substrates, cells are subjected to sustained mechanical stress that can lead to phenotypic changes. Such changes may remain even after transferring the cells to another scaffold or engrafting them in vivo and bias the outcomes of the biological investigation or clinical treatment. This persistence─or mechanical memory─was initially observed for sustained myofibroblast activation of pulmonary fibroblasts after culturing them on stiff (E ≈ 100 kPa) substrates. Aspects of mechanical memory have now been described in many in vitro contexts. In this Review, we discuss the stiffness-induced effectors of mechanical memory: structural changes in the cytoskeleton and activity of transcription factors and epigenetic modifiers. We then focus on how mechanical memory impacts cell expansion and tissue regeneration outcomes in bioengineering applications relying on prolonged 2D plastic culture, such as stem cell therapies and disease models. We propose that alternatives to traditional cell culture substrates can be used to mitigate or erase mechanical memory and improve the efficiency of downstream cell-based bioengineering applications.

Hydrogel-based molecular tension fluorescence microscopy for investigating receptor-mediated rigidity sensing

Extracellular matrix (ECM) rigidity serves as a crucial mechanical cue impacting diverse biological processes. However, understanding the molecular mechanisms of rigidity sensing has been limited by the spatial resolution and force sensitivity of current cellular force measurement techniques. Here we developed a method to functionalize DNA tension probes on soft hydrogel surfaces in a controllable and reliable manner, enabling molecular tension fluorescence microscopy for rigidity sensing studies. Our findings showed that fibroblasts respond to substrate rigidity by recruiting more force-bearing integrins and modulating integrin sampling frequency of the ECM, rather than simply overloading the existing integrin-ligand bonds, to promote focal adhesion maturation. We also demonstrated that ECM rigidity positively regulates the pN force of T cell receptor-ligand bond and T cell receptor mechanical sampling frequency, promoting T cell activation. Thus, hydrogel-based molecular tension fluorescence microscopy implemented on a standard confocal microscope provides a simple and effective means to explore detailed molecular force information for rigidity-dependent biological processes.

Biophysics in tumor growth and progression: from single mechano-sensitive molecules to mechanomedicine

Evidence from physical sciences in oncology increasingly suggests that the interplay between the biophysical tumor microenvironment and genetic regulation has significant impact on tumor progression. Especially, tumor cells and the associated stromal cells not only alter their own cytoskeleton and physical properties but also remodel the microenvironment with anomalous physical properties. Together, these altered mechano-omics of tumor tissues and their constituents fundamentally shift the mechanotransduction paradigms in tumorous and stromal cells and activate oncogenic signaling within the neoplastic niche to facilitate tumor progression. However, current findings on tumor biophysics are limited, scattered, and often contradictory in multiple contexts. Systematic understanding of how biophysical cues influence tumor pathophysiology is still lacking. This review discusses recent different schools of findings in tumor biophysics that have arisen from multi-scale mechanobiology and the cutting-edge technologies. These findings range from the molecular and cellular to the whole tissue level and feature functional crosstalk between mechanotransduction and oncogenic signaling. We highlight the potential of these anomalous physical alterations as new therapeutic targets for cancer mechanomedicine. This framework reconciles opposing opinions in the field, proposes new directions for future cancer research, and conceptualizes novel mechanomedicine landscape to overcome the inherent shortcomings of conventional cancer diagnosis and therapies.

Joining forces: crosstalk between mechanosensitive PIEZO1 ion channels and integrin-mediated focal adhesions

Both integrin-mediated focal adhesions (FAs) and mechanosensitive ion channels such as PIEZO1 are critical in mechanotransduction processes that influence cell differentiation, development, and cancer. Ample evidence now exists for regulatory crosstalk between FAs and PIEZO1 channels with the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remaining unclear. However, an emerging picture is developing based on spatial crosstalk between FAs and PIEZO1 revealing a synergistic model involving the cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix (ECM) and calcium-dependent signaling. Already cell type, cell contractility, integrin subtypes and ECM composition have been shown to regulate this crosstalk, implying a highly fine-tuned relationship between these two major mechanosensing systems. In this review, we summarize the latest advances in this area, highlight the physiological implications of this crosstalk and identify gaps in our knowledge that will improve our understanding of cellular mechanosensing.

Subcellular Force Imbalance in Actin Bundles Induces Nuclear Repositioning and Durotaxis

Durotaxis is a phenomenon in which cells migrate toward substrates of increasing stiffness. However, how cells assimilate substrate stiffness as a directional cue remains poorly understood. In this study, we experimentally show that mouse embryonic fibroblasts can discriminate between different substrate stiffnesses and develop higher traction forces at regions of the cell adhering to the stiffer pillars. In this way, the cells generate a force imbalance between adhesion sites. It is this traction force imbalance that drives durotaxis by providing directionality for cell migration. Significantly, we found that traction forces are transmitted via LINC complexes to the cell nucleus, which serves to maintain the global force imbalance. In this way, LINC complexes play an essential role in anterograde nuclear movement and durotaxis. This conclusion is supported by the fact that LINC complex-deficient cells are incapable of durotaxis and instead migrate randomly on substrates featuring a stiffness gradient.

Research Advances in the Role of the Tropomyosin Family in Cancer

Cancer is one of the most difficult diseases for human beings to overcome. Its development is closely related to a variety of factors, and its specific mechanisms have been a hot research topic in the field of scientific research. The tropomyosin family (Tpm) is a group of proteins closely related to the cytoskeleton and actin, and recent studies have shown that they play an important role in various cancers, participating in a variety of biological activities, including cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, and have been used as biomarkers for various cancers. The purpose of this review is to explore the research progress of the Tpm family in tumorigenesis development, focusing on the molecular pathways associated with them and their relevant activities involved in tumors. PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant studies on the role of Tpms in tumorigenesis and development and the activities of Tpms involved in tumors. Data from the literature suggest that the Tpm family is involved in tumor cell proliferation and growth, tumor cell invasion and migration, tumor angiogenesis, tumor cell apoptosis, and immune infiltration of the tumor microenvironment, among other correlations. It can be used as a potential biomarker for early diagnosis, follow-up, and therapeutic response of some tumors. The Tpm family is involved in cancer in a close relationship with miRNAs and LncRNAs. Tpms are involved in tumor tissue invasion and migration as a key link. On this basis, TPM is frequently used as a biomarker for various cancers. However, the specific molecular mechanism of its involvement in cancer progression has not been explained clearly, which remains an important direction for future research.

Impairment of rigidity sensing caused by mutant TP53 gain of function in osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant pediatric bone tumor and is characterized by high heterogeneity. Studies have revealed a wide range of phenotypic differences among OS cell lines in terms of their in vivo tumorigenicity and in vitro colony-forming abilities. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of these discrepancies remains unclear. The potential role of mechanotransduction in tumorigenicity is of particular interest. To this end, we tested the tumorigenicity and anoikis resistance of OS cell lines both in vitro and in vivo. We utilized a sphere culture model, a soft agar assay, and soft and rigid hydrogel surface culture models to investigate the function of rigidity sensing in the tumorigenicity of OS cells. Additionally, we quantified the expression of sensor proteins, including four kinases and seven cytoskeletal proteins, in OS cell lines. The upstream core transcription factors of rigidity-sensing proteins were further investigated. We detected anoikis resistance in transformed OS cells. The mechanosensing function of transformed OS cells was also impaired, with general downregulation of rigidity-sensing components. We identified toggling between normal and transformed growth based on the expression pattern of rigidity-sensing proteins in OS cells. We further uncovered a novel TP53 mutation (R156P) in transformed OS cells, which acquired gain of function to inhibit rigidity sensing, thus sustaining transformed growth. Our findings suggest a fundamental role of rigidity-sensing components in OS tumorigenicity as mechanotransduction elements through which cells can sense their physical microenvironment. In addition, the gain of function of mutant TP53 appears to serve as an executor for such malignant programs.

Mechanobiological Analysis of Nanoparticle Toxicity

Nanoparticles (NPs) are commonly used in healthcare and nanotherapy, but their toxicity at high concentrations is well-known. Recent research has shown that NPs can also cause toxicity at low concentrations, disrupting various cellular functions and leading to altered mechanobiological behavior. While researchers have used different methods to investigate the effects of NPs on cells, including gene expression and cell adhesion assays, the use of mechanobiological tools in this context has been underutilized. This review emphasizes the importance of further exploring the mechanobiological effects of NPs, which could reveal valuable insights into the mechanisms behind NP toxicity. To investigate these effects, different methods, including the use of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) pillars to study cell motility, traction force production, and rigidity sensing contractions, have been employed. Understanding how NPs affect cell cytoskeletal functions through mechanobiology could have significant implications, such as developing innovative drug delivery systems and tissue engineering techniques, and could improve the safety of NPs for biomedical applications. In summary, this review highlights the significance of incorporating mechanobiology into the study of NP toxicity and demonstrates the potential of this interdisciplinary field to advance our knowledge and practical use of NPs.

Mechanotherapy in oncology: Targeting nuclear mechanics and mechanotransduction

Mechanotherapy is proposed as a new option for cancer treatment. Increasing evidence suggests that characteristic differences are present in the nuclear mechanics and mechanotransduction of cancer cells compared with those of normal cells. Recent advances in understanding nuclear mechanics and mechanotransduction provide not only further insights into the process of malignant transformation but also useful references for developing new therapeutic approaches. Herein, we present an overview of the alterations of nuclear mechanics and mechanotransduction in cancer cells and highlight their implications in cancer mechanotherapy.

Mechanosensitive ion channels in apoptosis and ferroptosis: focusing on the role of Piezo1

Mechanosensitive ion channels sense mechanical stimuli applied directly to the cellular membranes or indirectly through their tethered components, provoking cellular mechanoresponses. Among others, Piezo1 mechanosensitive ion channel is a relatively novel Ca2+-permeable channel that is primarily present in non-sensory tissues. Recent studies have demonstrated that Piezo1 plays an important role in Ca2+-dependent cell death, including apoptosis and ferroptosis, in the presence of mechanical stimuli. It has also been proven that cancer cells are sensitive to mechanical stresses due to higher expression levels of Piezo1 compared to normal cells. In this review, we discuss Piezo1-mediated cell death mechanisms and therapeutic strategies to inhibit or induce cell death by modulating the activity of Piezo1 with pharmacological drugs or mechanical perturbations induced by stretch and ultrasound. [BMB Reports 2023; 56(3): 145-152].

Biomimetic hydrogel blanket for conserving and recovering intrinsic cell properties

BACKGROUND

Cells in the human body experience different growth environments and conditions, such as compressive pressure and oxygen concentrations, depending on the type and location of the tissue. Thus, a culture device that emulates the environment inside the body is required to study cells outside the body.

METHODS

A blanket-type cell culture device (Direct Contact Pressing: DCP) was fabricated with an alginate-based hydrogel. Changes in cell morphology due to DCP pressure were observed using a phase contrast microscope. The changes in the oxygen permeability and pressure according to the hydrogel concentration of DCP were analyzed. To compare the effects of DCP with normal or artificial hypoxic cultures, cells were divided based on the culture technique: normal culture, DCP culture device, and artificial hypoxic environment. Changes in phenotype, genes, and glycosaminoglycan amounts according to each environment were evaluated. Based on this, the mechanism of each culture environment on the intrinsic properties of conserving chondrocytes was suggested.

RESULTS

Chondrocytes live under pressure from the surrounding collagen tissue and experience a hypoxic environment because collagen inhibits oxygen permeability. By culturing the chondrocytes in a DCP environment, the capability of DCP to produce a low-oxygen and physical pressure environment was verified. When human primary chondrocytes, which require pressure and a low-oxygen environment during culture to maintain their innate properties, were cultured using the hydrogel blanket, the original shapes and properties of the chondrocytes were maintained. The intrinsic properties could be recovered even in aged cells that had lost their original cell properties.

CONCLUSIONS

A DCP culture method using a biomimetic hydrogel blanket provides cells with an adjustable physical pressure and a low-oxygen environment. Through this technique, we could maintain the original cellular phenotypes and intrinsic properties of human primary chondrocytes. The results of this study can be applied to other cells that require special pressure and oxygen concentration control to maintain their intrinsic properties. Additionally, this technique has the potential to be applied to the re-differentiation of cells that have lost their original properties.

Force- and cell state-dependent recruitment of Piezo1 drives focal adhesion dynamics and calcium entry

Mechanosensing is an integral part of many physiological processes including stem cell differentiation, fibrosis, and cancer progression. Two major mechanosensing systems-focal adhesions and mechanosensitive ion channels-can convert mechanical features of the microenvironment into biochemical signals. We report here unexpectedly that the mechanosensitive calcium-permeable channel Piezo1, previously perceived to be diffusive on plasma membranes, binds to matrix adhesions in a force-dependent manner, promoting cell spreading, adhesion dynamics, and calcium entry in normal but not in most cancer cells tested except some glioblastoma lines. A linker domain in Piezo1 is needed for binding to adhesions, and overexpression of the domain blocks Piezo1 binding to adhesions, decreasing adhesion size and cell spread area. Thus, we suggest that Piezo1 is a previously unidentified component of focal adhesions in nontransformed cells that catalyzes adhesion maturation and growth through force-dependent calcium signaling, but this function is absent in most cancer cells.

Cancer cells can be killed mechanically or with combinations of cytoskeletal inhibitors

For over two centuries, clinicians have hypothesized that cancer developed preferentially at the sites of repeated damage, indicating that cancer is basically “continued healing.” Tumor cells can develop over time into other more malignant types in different environments. Interestingly, indefinite growth correlates with the depletion of a modular, early rigidity sensor, whereas restoring these sensors in tumor cells blocks tumor growth on soft surfaces and metastases. Importantly, normal and tumor cells from many different tissues exhibit transformed growth without the early rigidity sensor. When sensors are restored in tumor cells by replenishing depleted mechanosensory proteins that are often cytoskeletal, cells revert to normal rigidity-dependent growth. Surprisingly, transformed growth cells are sensitive to mechanical stretching or ultrasound which will cause apoptosis of transformed growth cells (Mechanoptosis). Mechanoptosis is driven by calcium entry through mechanosensitive Piezo1 channels that activate a calcium-induced calpain response commonly found in tumor cells. Since tumor cells from many different tissues are in a transformed growth state that is, characterized by increased growth, an altered cytoskeleton and mechanoptosis, it is possible to inhibit growth of many different tumors by mechanical activity and potentially by cytoskeletal inhibitors.

Epithelial cell size dysregulation in human lung adenocarcinoma

Human cells tightly control their dimensions, but in some cancers, normal cell size control is lost. In this study we measure cell volumes of epithelial cells from human lung adenocarcinoma progression in situ. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), we reconstruct tumor cell shapes in three dimensions (3D) and find airway type 2 cells display up to 10-fold increases in volume. Surprisingly, cell size increase is not caused by altered ploidy, and up to 80% of near-euploid tumor cells show abnormal sizes. Size dysregulation is not explained by cell swelling or senescence because cells maintain cytoplasmic density and proper organelle size scaling, but is correlated with changes in tissue organization and loss of a novel network of processes that appear to connect alveolar type 2 cells. To validate size dysregulation in near-euploid cells, we sorted cells from tumor single-cell suspensions on the basis of size. Our study provides data of unprecedented detail for cell volume dysregulation in a human cancer. Broadly, loss of size control may be a common feature of lung adenocarcinomas in humans and mice that is relevant to disease and identification of these cells provides a useful model for investigating cell size control and consequences of cell size dysregulation.

Unified multiscale theory of cellular mechanical adaptations to substrate stiffness

Rigidity of the extracellular matrix markedly regulates many cellular processes. However, how cells detect and respond to matrix rigidity remains incompletely understood. Here, we propose a unified two-dimensional multiscale framework accounting for the chemomechanical feedback to explore the interrelated cellular mechanosensing, polarization, and migration, which constitute the dynamic cascade in cellular response to matrix stiffness but are often modeled separately in previous theories. By combining integrin dynamics and intracellular force transduction, we show that substrate stiffness can act as a switch to activate or deactivate cell polarization. Our theory quantitatively reproduces rich stiffness-dependent cellular dynamics, including spreading, polarity selection, migration pattern, durotaxis, and even negative durotaxis, reported in a wide spectrum of cell types, and reconciles some inconsistent experimental observations. We find that a specific bipolarized mode can determine the optimal substrate stiffness, which enables the fastest cell migration rather than the largest traction forces that cells apply on the substrate. We identify that such a mechanical adaptation stems from the force balance across the whole cell. These findings could yield universal insights into various stiffness-mediated cellular processes within the context of tissue morphogenesis, wound healing, and cancer invasion.

Mechanobiology of solid tumors

Mechanical features of cancer cells emerge as a distinct trait during development and progression of solid tumors. Herein, we discuss recent key findings regarding the impact of various types of mechanical stresses on cancer cell properties. Data suggest that different mechanical forces, alterations of matrix rigidity and tumor microenvironment facilitate cancer hallmarks, especially invasion and metastasis. Moreover, a subset of mechanosensory proteins are responsible for mediating mechanically induced oncogenic signaling and response to chemotherapy. Delineating cancer dynamics and decoding of respective signal transduction mechanisms will provide new therapeutic strategies against solid tumors in the future.

The glycocalyx affects the mechanotransductive perception of the topographical microenvironment

The cell/microenvironment interface is the starting point of integrin-mediated mechanotransduction, but many details of mechanotransductive signal integration remain elusive due to the complexity of the involved (extra)cellular structures, such as the glycocalyx. We used nano-bio-interfaces reproducing the complex nanotopographical features of the extracellular matrix to analyse the glycocalyx impact on PC12 cell mechanosensing at the nanoscale (e.g., by force spectroscopy with functionalised probes). Our data demonstrates that the glycocalyx configuration affects spatio-temporal nanotopography-sensitive mechanotransductive events at the cell/microenvironment interface. Opposing effects of major glycocalyx removal were observed, when comparing flat and specific nanotopographical conditions. The excessive retrograde actin flow speed and force loading are strongly reduced on certain nanotopographies upon strong reduction of the native glycocalyx, while on the flat substrate we observe the opposite trend. Our results highlight the importance of the glycocalyx configuration in a molecular clutch force loading-dependent cellular mechanism for mechanosensing of microenvironmental nanotopographical features.

mNG-tagged fusion proteins and nanobodies to visualize tropomyosins in yeast and mammalian cells

Tropomyosins are structurally conserved α-helical coiled-coil proteins that bind along the length of filamentous actin (F-actin) in fungi and animals. Tropomyosins play essential roles in the stability of actin filaments and in regulating myosin II contractility. Despite the crucial role of tropomyosin in actin cytoskeletal regulation, in vivo investigations of tropomyosin are limited, mainly due to the suboptimal live-cell imaging tools currently available. Here, we report on an mNeonGreen (mNG)-tagged tropomyosin, with native promoter and linker length configuration, that clearly reports tropomyosin dynamics in Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Cdc8), Schizosaccharomyces japonicus (Cdc8) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Tpm1 and Tpm2). We also describe a fluorescent probe to visualize mammalian tropomyosin (TPM2 isoform). Finally, we generated a camelid nanobody against S. pombe Cdc8, which mimics the localization of mNG-Cdc8 in vivo. Using these tools, we report the presence of tropomyosin in previously unappreciated patch-like structures in fission and budding yeasts, show flow of tropomyosin (F-actin) cables to the cytokinetic actomyosin ring and identify rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton during mating. These powerful tools and strategies will aid better analyses of tropomyosin and F-actin cables in vivo.

Reciprocity of Cell Mechanics with Extracellular Stimuli: Emerging Opportunities for Translational Medicine

Human cells encounter dynamic mechanical cues in healthy and diseased tissues, which regulate their molecular and biophysical phenotype, including intracellular mechanics as well as force generation. Recent developments in bio/nanomaterials and microfluidics permit exquisitely sensitive measurements of cell mechanics, as well as spatiotemporal control over external mechanical stimuli to regulate cell behavior. In this review, the mechanobiology of cells interacting bidirectionally with their surrounding microenvironment, and the potential relevance for translational medicine are considered. Key fundamental concepts underlying the mechanics of living cells as well as the extracelluar matrix are first introduced. Then the authors consider case studies based on 1) microfluidic measurements of nonadherent cell deformability, 2) cell migration on micro/nano-topographies, 3) traction measurements of cells in three-dimensional (3D) matrix, 4) mechanical programming of organoid morphogenesis, as well as 5) active mechanical stimuli for potential therapeutics. These examples highlight the promise of disease diagnosis using mechanical measurements, a systems-level understanding linking molecular with biophysical phenotype, as well as therapies based on mechanical perturbations. This review concludes with a critical discussion of these emerging technologies and future directions at the interface of engineering, biology, and medicine.

Optogenetic control of YAP cellular localisation and function

YAP, an effector of the Hippo signalling pathway, promotes organ growth and regeneration. Prolonged YAP activation results in uncontrolled proliferation and cancer. Therefore, exogenous regulation of YAP activity has potential translational applications. We present a versatile optogenetic construct (optoYAP) for manipulating YAP localisation, and consequently its activity and function. We attach a LOV2 domain that photocages a nuclear localisation signal (NLS) to the N-terminus of YAP. In 488 nm light, the LOV2 domain unfolds, exposing the NLS, which shuttles optoYAP into the nucleus. Nuclear import of optoYAP is reversible and tuneable by light intensity. In cell culture, activated optoYAP promotes YAP target gene expression and cell proliferation. Similarly, optofYap can be used in zebrafish embryos to modulate target genes. We demonstrate that optoYAP can override a cell's response to substrate stiffness to generate anchorage-independent growth. OptoYAP is functional in both cell culture and in vivo, providing a powerful tool to address basic research questions and therapeutic applications in regeneration and disease.

Tumor Suppressor DAPK1 Catalyzes Adhesion Assembly on Rigid but Anoikis on Soft Matrices

Cancer cells normally grow on soft surfaces due to impaired mechanosensing of the extracellular matrix rigidity. Upon restoration of proper mechanosensing, cancer cells undergo apoptosis on soft surfaces (anoikis) like most normal cells. However, the link between mechanosensing and activation of anoikis is not clear. Here we show that death associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1), a tumor suppressor that activates cell death, is directly linked to anoikis activation through rigidity sensing. We find that when rigidity sensing is decreased through inhibition of DAPK1 activity, cells are transformed for growth on soft matrices. Further, DAPK1 catalyzes matrix adhesion assembly and is part of adhesions on rigid surfaces. This pathway involves DAPK1 phosphorylation of tropomyosin1.1, the talin1 head domain, and tyrosine phosphorylation of DAPK1 by Src. On soft surfaces, DAPK1 rapidly dissociates from the adhesion complexes and activates apoptosis as catalyzed by PTPN12 activity and talin1 head. Thus, DAPK1 is important for adhesion assembly on rigid surfaces and the activation of anoikis on soft surfaces through its binding to rigidity-sensing modules.

α-Catenin links integrin adhesions to F-actin to regulate ECM mechanosensing and rigidity dependence

Both cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions are regulated by mechanical signals, but the mechanobiological processes that mediate the cross talk between these structures are poorly understood. Here we show that α-catenin, a mechanosensitive protein that is classically linked with cadherin-based adhesions, associates with and regulates integrin adhesions. α-Catenin is recruited to the edges of mesenchymal cells, where it interacts with F-actin. This is followed by mutual retrograde flow of α-catenin and F-actin from the cell edge, during which α-catenin interacts with vinculin within integrin adhesions. This interaction affects adhesion maturation, stress-fiber assembly, and force transmission to the matrix. In epithelial cells, α-catenin is present in cell-cell adhesions and absent from cell-matrix adhesions. However, when these cells undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, α-catenin transitions to the cell edge, where it facilitates proper mechanosensing. This is highlighted by the ability of α-catenin-depleted cells to grow on soft matrices. These results suggest a dual role of α-catenin in mechanosensing, through both cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions.

Cell Culture in Microfluidic Droplets

Cell manipulation in droplets has emerged as one of the great successes of microfluidic technologies, with the development of single-cell screening. However, the droplet format has also served to go beyond single-cell studies, namely by considering the interactions between different cells or between cells and their physical or chemical environment. These studies pose specific challenges linked to the need for long-term culture of adherent cells or the diverse types of measurements associated with complex biological phenomena. Here we review the emergence of droplet microfluidic methods for culturing cells and studying their interactions. We begin by characterizing the quantitative aspects that determine the ability to encapsulate cells, transport molecules, and provide sufficient nutrients within the droplets. This is followed by an evaluation of the biological constraints such as the control of the biochemical environment and promoting the anchorage of adherent cells. This first part ends with a description of measurement methods that have been developed. The second part of the manuscript focuses on applications of these technologies for cancer studies, immunology, and stem cells while paying special attention to the biological relevance of the cellular assays and providing guidelines on improving this relevance.

Viscoelasticity, Like Forces, Plays a Role in Mechanotransduction

Viscoelasticity and its alteration in time and space has turned out to act as a key element in fundamental biological processes in living systems, such as morphogenesis and motility. Based on experimental and theoretical findings it can be proposed that viscoelasticity of cells, spheroids and tissues seems to be a collective characteristic that demands macromolecular, intracellular component and intercellular interactions. A major challenge is to couple the alterations in the macroscopic structural or material characteristics of cells, spheroids and tissues, such as cell and tissue phase transitions, to the microscopic interferences of their elements. Therefore, the biophysical technologies need to be improved, advanced and connected to classical biological assays. In this review, the viscoelastic nature of cytoskeletal, extracellular and cellular networks is presented and discussed. Viscoelasticity is conceptualized as a major contributor to cell migration and invasion and it is discussed whether it can serve as a biomarker for the cells’ migratory capacity in several biological contexts. It can be hypothesized that the statistical mechanics of intra- and extracellular networks may be applied in the future as a powerful tool to explore quantitatively the biomechanical foundation of viscoelasticity over a broad range of time and length scales. Finally, the importance of the cellular viscoelasticity is illustrated in identifying and characterizing multiple disorders, such as cancer, tissue injuries, acute or chronic inflammations or fibrotic diseases.

Biophysical Approaches for Applying and Measuring Biological Forces

Over the past decades, increasing evidence has indicated that mechanical loads can regulate the morphogenesis, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of living cells. Investigations of how cells sense mechanical stimuli or the mechanotransduction mechanism is an active field of biomaterials and biophysics. Gaining a further understanding of mechanical regulation and depicting the mechanotransduction network inside cells require advanced experimental techniques and new theories. In this review, the fundamental principles of various experimental approaches that have been developed to characterize various types and magnitudes of forces experienced at the cellular and subcellular levels are summarized. The broad applications of these techniques are introduced with an emphasis on the difficulties in implementing these techniques in special biological systems. The advantages and disadvantages of each technique are discussed, which can guide readers to choose the most suitable technique for their questions. A perspective on future directions in this field is also provided. It is anticipated that technical advancement can be a driving force for the development of mechanobiology.

Local contractions regulate E-cadherin rigidity sensing

E-cadherin is a major cell-cell adhesion molecule involved in mechanotransduction at cell-cell contacts in tissues. Because epithelial cells respond to rigidity and tension in tissue through E-cadherin, there must be active processes that test and respond to the mechanical properties of these adhesive contacts. Using submicrometer, E-cadherin-coated polydimethylsiloxane pillars, we find that cells generate local contractions between E-cadherin adhesions and pull to a constant distance for a constant duration, irrespective of pillar rigidity. These cadherin contractions require nonmuscle myosin IIB, tropomyosin 2.1, α-catenin, and binding of vinculin to α-catenin. Cells spread to different areas on soft and rigid surfaces with contractions, but spread equally on soft and rigid without. We further observe that cadherin contractions enable cells to test myosin IIA-mediated tension of neighboring cells and sort out myosin IIA-depleted cells. Thus, we suggest that epithelial cells test and respond to the mechanical characteristics of neighboring cells through cadherin contractions.

Modulated TRPC1 Expression Predicts Sensitivity of Breast Cancer to Doxorubicin and Magnetic Field Therapy: Segue Towards a Precision Medicine Approach

Chemotherapy is the mainstream treatment modality for invasive breast cancer. Unfortunately, chemotherapy-associated adverse events can result in early termination of treatment. Paradoxical effects of chemotherapy are also sometimes observed, whereby prolonged exposure to high doses of chemotherapeutic agents results in malignant states resistant to chemotherapy. In this study, potential synergism between doxorubicin (DOX) and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy was investigated in: 1) MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro; 2) MCF-7 tumors implanted onto a chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and; 3) human patient-derived and MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer xenografts implanted into NOD-SCID gamma (NSG) mice. In vivo, synergism was observed in patient-derived and breast cancer cell line xenograft mouse models, wherein PEMF exposure and DOX administration individually reduced tumor size and increased apoptosis and could be augmented by combined treatments. In the CAM xenograft model, DOX and PEMF exposure also synergistically reduced tumor size as well as reduced Transient Receptor Potential Canonical 1 (TRPC1) channel expression. In vitro, PEMF exposure alone impaired the survival of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, but not that of non-malignant MCF10A breast cells; the selective vulnerability of breast cancer cells to PEMF exposure was corroborated in human tumor biopsy samples. Stable overexpression of TRPC1 enhanced the vulnerability of MCF-7 cells to both DOX and PEMF exposure and promoted proliferation, whereas TRPC1 genetic silencing reduced sensitivity to both DOX and PEMF treatments and mitigated proliferation. Chronic exposure to DOX depressed TRPC1 expression, proliferation, and responses to both PEMF exposure and DOX in a manner that was reversible upon removal of DOX. TRPC1 channel overexpression and silencing positively correlated with markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), including SLUG, SNAIL, VIMENTIN, and E-CADHERIN, indicating increased and decreased EMT, respectively. Finally, PEMF exposure was shown to attenuate the invasiveness of MCF-7 cells in correlation with TRPC1 expression. We thus demonstrate that the expression levels of TRPC1 consistently predicted breast cancer sensitivity to DOX and PEMF interventions and positively correlated to EMT status, providing an initial rationale for the use of PEMF-based therapies as an adjuvant to DOX chemotherapy for the treatment of breast cancers characterized by elevated TRPC1 expression levels.

Correlative cryo-ET identifies actin/tropomyosin filaments that mediate cell-substrate adhesion in cancer cells and mechanosensitivity of cell proliferation

The actin cytoskeleton is the primary driver of cellular adhesion and mechanosensing due to its ability to generate force and sense the stiffness of the environment. At the cell's leading edge, severing of the protruding Arp2/3 actin network generates a specific actin/tropomyosin (Tpm) filament population that controls lamellipodial persistence. The interaction between these filaments and adhesion to the environment is unknown. Using cellular cryo-electron tomography we resolve the ultrastructure of the Tpm/actin copolymers and show that they specifically anchor to nascent adhesions and are essential for focal adhesion assembly. Re-expression of Tpm1.8/1.9 in transformed and cancer cells is sufficient to restore cell-substrate adhesions. We demonstrate that knock-out of Tpm1.8/1.9 disrupts the formation of dorsal actin bundles, hindering the recruitment of α-actinin and non-muscle myosin IIa, critical mechanosensors. This loss causes a force-generation and proliferation defect that is notably reversed when cells are grown on soft surfaces. We conclude that Tpm1.8/1.9 suppress the metastatic phenotype, which may explain why transformed cells naturally downregulate this Tpm subset during malignant transformation.

Leveraging cellular mechano-responsiveness for cancer therapy

Cells sense the biophysical properties of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and adopt these signals in their development, progression, and metastatic dissemination. Recent work highlights the mechano-responsiveness of cells in tumors and the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, approaches to mechano-modulating diverse types of cell have emerged aiming to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. These include targeting mechanosensitive machineries in cancer cells to induce apoptosis, intervening matrix stiffening incurred by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in both primary and metastatic tumor sites, and modulating matrix mechanics to improve immune cell therapeutic efficacy. This review is envisaged to help scientists and clinicians in cancer research to advance understanding of the cellular mechano-responsiveness in TME, and to harness these concepts for cancer mechanotherapies.

Density Regulation and Localization of Cell Clusters by Self-Assembled Femtosecond-Laser-Fabricated Micropillar Arrays

Tumor cell clusters of varying sizes and densities have different metastatic potentials. Three-dimensional (3D) patterned structures with rational topographical and mechanical properties are capable of guiding the 3D clustering of tumor cells. In this study, single femtosecond laser pulses were used to fabricate individual high-aspect-ratio micropillars via two-photon polymerization (TPP). By combining this approach with capillary-force self-assembly, complex 3D microstructure patterns were constructed with a high efficiency. The microstructures were able to regulate the formation of cell clusters at different cell seeding densities and direct self-guided 3D assembly of cell clusters of various sizes and densities. Localization of cell clusters was achieved using grid-indexed samples to address individual cell clusters, which holds great promise for in situ cell cluster culture and monitoring and for applications such as RNA sequencing of cell clusters.

Biomechanical model of cells probing the myosin-II-independent mechanosensing mechanism

Mechanosensing of cells to extracellular matrix (ECM) is highly active and plays a crucial role in various physiological processes. Growing numbers of studies provide evidence that cell sensitivity to ECM stiffness is a complex stress-strain feedback process. However, the mechanisms that rule this process are still not fully known. Here, an alternative mechanosensing scheme of cells, which is different from the previous myosin-II-based mechanisms, is proposed by employing the tension in cortical cytoskeletons (CSKs) as a force module to probe the substrate. The molecular mechanotransduction from cortical CSKs, through actin filaments and focal adhesions, and finally to the substrate, is mechanically modeled to scale the dynamic traction forces of cells. The developed model captures the characteristic spread of cells with respect to ECM stiffness whereby the spread is fully developed on a stiff substrate but not on a soft one. Furthermore, durotactic migration of cells on an elastic-gradient substrate is successfully modeled by the current method. The cells are concluded to migrate, actuated by the polarized traction forces from the stiffness gradient of the substrate and the stiffness matching between cells and substrate. Finally, the cells are proposed to actively target the preferred substrate by following a rule of mechanical matching between cells and substrate. This study provides a theoretical tool to advance our knowledge regarding the passive mechanical properties and the active sensing of cells, and further promotes the discovery of mechanosensing mechanisms as well as the material design for embryonic development and tissue homeostasis.

Mechanobiology in cardiac mechanics

The contraction-relaxation cycle of the heart is one of the most robust mechanical systems in the body that adapts rapidly to the body's needs by changing mechanical parameters. In many respects, we can consider the cardiac system as a complex machine and can use engineering approaches to describe its function. The classical physiology of the heart also focused on understanding function but the new molecular level tools in light microscopy and nanoengineering now enable a deeper understanding of the physiology. The field of mechanobiology has emerged with a focus on how mechanical activity alters biological systems at the molecular level and how those systems in turn control mechanical parameters. In the case of mechanical activity, there are clearly benefits of exercise for the heart, for cancer patients, and for aging but we do not understand the links at a molecular level. Why does regular exercise benefit the heart? We have some preliminary clues at a molecular level about the benefits of physical activity in the cases of cancer and aging; however, there is less known about how exercise affects cardiovascular performance. Unlike the omics approaches which generally link proteins to processes, a mechanobiological understanding of a process explains how forces and mechanical activity will regulate the process through modifications of protein activities. In other words, mechanical activity is an essential component of most biological systems that is transduced into biochemical changes in protein activity. Further, it follows logically that if a mechanical parameter of the cardiac system is typically controlled, then cellular mechanosensing systems must be able to directly or indirectly measure that parameter. The challenge is to understand how changes in activity of the heart are controlled in the short term and then how the system adapts to the integrated level of activity over the longer term. By way of introduction to molecular mechanobiology, I will present examples of mechanosensing from the molecular to the cellular scale and how they may be integrated at the cell and tissue levels. An important element of Mechanobiology at the system level is the physiological state of the cell: i.e., the cell in a senescent state, a cancer state, or a normal cell state (Sheetz 2019). The background for the mechanobiological approach is discussed in "The Cell as a Machine" (Sheetz and Yu, Cambridge Univ Press, 2018), which considers cell states and the molecular systems underlying the important cellular functions. A major challenge in mechanobiology is the understanding of the transduction of mechanical activity into changes in cell function. Of particular relevance here is the benefit of exercise to cardiac performance. This has been seen in many cases and there are a variety of factors that contribute. Further, exercise will benefit cancer patients and will reverse some of the adverse effects of aging. Exercise will cause increased cardiac activity that will be sensed by many mechanosensory systems from a molecular to a cellular level both in the heart and in the vasculature. At a molecular level in cardiac systems, proteins are able to measure stress and strain and to generate appropriate signals of the magnitude of stress and strain that can regulate the cellular contractility and other parameters. The protein sensors are generally passive systems that give a transient measure of local parameters such as the stress at cell-cell junctions during contraction and the strain of the sarcomeres during relaxation. Large stresses at the junctions can activate signaling systems that can reduce contractility or over time activate remodeling of the junctions to better support larger stresses. The proteins involved and their sensory mechanisms are not known currently; however, the mechanosensitive channel, Piezo1, has been implicated in the transduction process in the vasculature (Beech 2018). In the case of strain sensors, large stretches of titin during relaxation can unfold more titin domains that can send signals to the cell. Two different mechanisms of strain sensing are likely in titin. The titin kinase domain is activated by strain but the substrates of the kinase are not know in vivo (Linke 2018). In the backbone of titin are many Ig domains that unfold at different forces and unfolding could cause the binding of proteins that would then activate enzymatic pathways to alter the contractile cycle to give the proper level of strain (Ait-Mou et al. 2017; Granzier et al. 2014; Granzier et al. 2009). The cell-matrix adhesion protein, talin, has eleven cryptic binding sites for another adhesion protein, vinculin, that are revealed by the unfolding of domains in the talin molecule (Yao et al. 2016). Since some domains unfold at lower forces than others, small strains will preferentially unfold those domains, making the system an excellent sensor of the extent of stretch as expected for titin. Because there is an ordered array of many titin molecules, the sensing of strain can be very sensitive to small changes in sarcomere length. Needless to say, titin is only one part of the regulatory system that controls sarcomere length. As one goes more deeply into the working of the system, it is evident that many additional mechanosensory elements are involved in maintaining a functioning cardiac system.

Adaptive mechanoproperties mediated by the formin FMN1 characterize glioblastoma fitness for invasion

Glioblastoma are heterogeneous tumors composed of highly invasive and highly proliferative clones. Heterogeneity in invasiveness could emerge from discrete biophysical properties linked to specific molecular expression. We identified clones of patient-derived glioma propagating cells that were either highly proliferative or highly invasive and compared their cellular architecture, migratory, and biophysical properties. We discovered that invasiveness was linked to cellular fitness. The most invasive cells were stiffer, developed higher mechanical forces on the substrate, and moved stochastically. The mechano-chemical-induced expression of the formin FMN1 conferred invasive strength that was confirmed in patient samples. Moreover, FMN1 expression was also linked to motility in other cancer and normal cell lines, and its ectopic expression increased fitness parameters. Mechanistically, FMN1 acts from the microtubule lattice and promotes a robust mechanical cohesion, leading to highly invasive motility.

A computational model of mutual antagonism in the mechano-signaling network of RhoA and nitric oxide

BACKGROUND

RhoA is a master regulator of cytoskeletal contractility, while nitric oxide (NO) is a master regulator of relaxation, e.g., vasodilation. There are multiple forms of cross-talk between the RhoA/ROCK pathway and the eNOS/NO/cGMP pathway, but previous work has not studied their interplay at a systems level. Literature review suggests that the majority of their cross-talk interactions are antagonistic, which motivates us to ask whether the RhoA and NO pathways exhibit mutual antagonism in vitro, and if so, to seek the theoretical implications of their mutual antagonism.

RESULTS

Experiments found mutual antagonism between RhoA and NO in epithelial cells. Since mutual antagonism is a common motif for bistability, we sought to explore through theoretical simulations whether the RhoA-NO network is capable of bistability. Qualitative modeling showed that there are parameters that can cause bistable switching in the RhoA-NO network, and that the robustness of the bistability would be increased by positive feedback between RhoA and mechanical tension.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the RhoA-NO bistability is robust enough in silico to warrant the investment of further experimental testing. Tension-dependent bistability has the potential to create sharp concentration gradients, which could contribute to the localization and self-organization of signaling domains during cytoskeletal remodeling and cell migration.

The 'Yin and Yang' of Cancer Cell Growth and Mechanosensing

In cancer, two unique and seemingly contradictory behaviors are evident: on the one hand, tumors are typically stiffer than the tissues in which they grow, and this high stiffness promotes their malignant progression; on the other hand, cancer cells are anchorage-independent-namely, they can survive and grow in soft environments that do not support cell attachment. How can these two features be consolidated? Recent findings on the mechanisms by which cells test the mechanical properties of their environment provide insight into the role of aberrant mechanosensing in cancer progression. In this review article, we focus on the role of high stiffness on cancer progression, with particular emphasis on tumor growth; we discuss the mechanisms of mechanosensing and mechanotransduction, and their dysregulation in cancerous cells; and we propose that a 'yin and yang' type phenomenon exists in the mechanobiology of cancer, whereby a switch in the type of interaction with the extracellular matrix dictates the outcome of the cancer cells.

Enhanced tumor cell killing by ultrasound after microtubule depolymerization

Recent studies show that tumor cells are vulnerable to mechanical stresses and undergo calcium-dependent apoptosis (mechanoptosis) with mechanical perturbation by low-frequency ultrasound alone. To determine if tumor cells are particularly sensitive to mechanical stress in certain phases of the cell cycle, inhibitors of the cell-cycle phases are tested for effects on mechanoptosis. Most inhibitors show no significant effect, but inhibitors of mitosis that cause microtubule depolymerization increase the mechanoptosis. Surprisingly, ultrasound treatment also disrupts microtubules independent of inhibitors in tumor cells but not in normal cells. Ultrasound causes calcium entry through mechanosensitive Piezo1 channels that disrupts microtubules via calpain protease activation. Myosin IIA contractility is required for ultrasound-mediated mechanoptosis and microtubule disruption enhances myosin IIA contractility through activation of GEF-H1 and RhoA pathway. Further, ultrasound promotes contractility-dependent Piezo1 expression and localization to the peripheral adhesions where activated Piezo1 allows calcium entry to continue feedback loop. Thus, the synergistic action of ultrasound and nanomolar concentrations of microtubule depolymerizing agents can enhance tumor therapies.

Embracing Mechanobiology in Next Generation Organ-On-A-Chip Models of Bone Metastasis

Bone metastasis in breast cancer is associated with high mortality. Biomechanical cues presented by the extracellular matrix play a vital role in driving cancer metastasis. The lack of in vitro models that recapitulate the mechanical aspects of the in vivo microenvironment hinders the development of novel targeted therapies. Organ-on-a-chip (OOAC) platforms have recently emerged as a new generation of in vitro models that can mimic cell-cell interactions, enable control over fluid flow and allow the introduction of mechanical cues. Biomaterials used within OOAC platforms can determine the physical microenvironment that cells reside in and affect their behavior, adhesion, and localization. Refining the design of OOAC platforms to recreate microenvironmental regulation of metastasis and probe cell-matrix interactions will advance our understanding of breast cancer metastasis and support the development of next-generation metastasis-on-a-chip platforms. In this mini-review, we discuss the role of mechanobiology on the behavior of breast cancer and bone-residing cells, summarize the current capabilities of OOAC platforms for modeling breast cancer metastasis to bone, and highlight design opportunities offered by the incorporation of mechanobiological cues in these platforms.

Probing mechanobiological role of filamin A in migration and invasion of human U87 glioblastoma cells using submicron soft pillars

Filamin A (FLNa) belongs to an actin-binding protein family in binding and cross-linking actin filaments into a three-dimensional structure. However, little attention has been given to its mechanobiological role in cancer cells. Here, we quantitatively investigated the role of FLNa by analyzing the following parameters in negative control (NC) and FLNa-knockdown (KD) U87 glioma cells using submicron pillars (900 nm diameter and 2 μm height): traction force (TF), rigidity sensing ability, cell aspect ratio, migration speed, and invasiveness. During the initial phase of cell adhesion (< 1 h), FLNa-KD cells polarized more slowly than did NC cells, which can be explained by the loss of rigidity sensing in FLNa-KD cells. The higher motility of FLNa-KD cells relative to NC cells can be explained by the high TF exerted by FLNa-KD cells when compared to NC cells, while the higher invasiveness of FLNa-KD cells relative to NC cells can be explained by a greater number of filopodia in FLNa-KD cells than in NC cells. Our results suggest that FLNa plays important roles in suppressing motility and invasiveness of U87 cells.