Berlin 2015 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 36: Cell adhesion, mechanics and migration II

BP 36.1: Talk

Wednesday, March 18, 2015, 15:00–15:15, H 1058

The mechanics of invasion: How contraction sets the stage for invasive migration. — Katarzyna Kopanska and •Timo Betz — Physical-Chemistry Curie, UMR168, Institut Curie, Paris, France

To move out of the primary tumor, cancer cells start a complex process of migration in the surrounding tissue called invasion. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for the onset of cancer cell invasion remains an urgent research subject on the path to new strategies to prevent malignant invasion, and thus improve the prognosis of many cancer types. We focus on the mechanical events that can be observed before and during invasion of the colon cancer cell line CT26. The experimental system consists of a spheroid of about 2000 cells that is embedded in a collagen I matrix. Before the onset of invasion, a contraction of the collagen gel is observed that shows 3 different phases. Our results suggest that an increase in mechanical tension within the collagen matrix facilitated the outgrowth of cells and hence triggers invasion. In this sense, the cells in the spheroid may optimize the mechanical properties of their environment via force application to facilitate invasion.