Cellular traction forces: a useful parameter in cancer research

Abstract

The search for new cancer biomarkers is essential for fundamental research, diagnostics, as well as for patient treatment and monitoring. Whereas most cancer biomarkers are biomolecules, an increasing number of studies show that mechanical cues are promising biomarker candidates. Although cell deformability has been shown to be a possible cancer biomarker, cellular forces as cancer biomarkers have been left largely unexplored. Here, we measure traction forces of cancer and normal-like cells at high spatial resolution using a robust method based on dense vertical arrays of nanowires. A force map is created using automated image analysis based on the localization of the fluorescent tips of the nanowires. We show that the force distribution and magnitude differ between MCF7 breast cancer cells and MCF10A normal-like breast epithelial cells, and that monitoring traction forces can be used to investigate the effects of anticancer drugs.

Behavioral remodeling of normal and cancerous epithelial cell lines with differing invasion potential induced by substrate elastic modulus

“…It is likely that in specific conditions physical content of actin decreases but the arrangement of actin fibres changes in a way that cells produce higher traction forces due to rearrangement of actin fibres such as generation of stress fibres. As an example, it is well known that cancerous cells are softer, but there are supporting evidences that suggest cancer cells have higher traction forces compared to the normal cells [3,[38][39][40]. The cell softening might be related to lower actin content, while higher traction forces might be due to enhanced actin structure and generation of stress fibees in cortex region of cells which is the major site for cell motility.…”

Single cell analysis of proliferation and movement of cancer and normal-like cells on nanowire array substrates

“…Nanowire arrays have been used extensively as cell culture substrates, for various applications such as mechanosensing, [1][2][3] neural interfacing, [4][5][6][7][8] and cell transfection. [9][10][11] Nanowire arrays have been shown to be biocompatible with limited detrimental effects on cell viability, although other parameters such as cell migration and cell proliferation may be affected.…”

“…14 We have recently proposed the use of nanowire arrays to investigate cellular mechanosensing in the field of cancer research. 15 We have used hexagonal arrays of vertical nanowires to measure the traction forces exerted by MCF7 breast cancer cells and MCF10A breast epithelial cells when growing on top of the array. 3 In that study, we suggest that monitoring cellular traction forces is useful for evaluating the mechanisms of action of anticancer drugs.…”

“…15 We have used hexagonal arrays of vertical nanowires to measure the traction forces exerted by MCF7 breast cancer cells and MCF10A breast epithelial cells when growing on top of the array. 3 In that study, we suggest that monitoring cellular traction forces is useful for evaluating the mechanisms of action of anticancer drugs. However, in order to use these arrays routinely, it is necessary to closely examine how nanowires affect the cell proliferation and migration of both cancer and normal cells.…”

Nanowire Arrays as Force Sensors with Super‐Resolved Localization Position Detection: Application to Optical Measurement of Bacterial Adhesion Forces

“…Moreover, eventual photobleaching cannot be prevented for extended observation times. An alternative to minimize this problem was developed by Li et al by inserting an InGaP quantum dot in the GaP nanowire. The quantum dot emits in the visible range, while the nanowire matrix, with indirect bandgap, does not show photoluminescence.…”