Dresden 2017 – scientific programme
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 9: Posters - Cell Mechanics
BP 9.15: Poster
Monday, March 20, 2017, 17:30–19:30, P3
E-Cadherin Expression and Localization is Correlated to Cellular Softness in Cancer Development — •Erik Morawetz1, Lars-Christian Horn2, Susanne Briest3, Michael Höckel3, and Josef Käs1 — 1Physik der weichen Materie, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany — 2Institut für Pathologie, Universitätklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany — 3Klinik und Poliklinik für Frauenheilkunde, Universitätklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
The concept of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition is believed to play a crucial role in cancer development. One of its main markers is the loss of epithelial cadherin (E-Cad). The malignant transformation of cells is also linked to increased softness of the cell body. To investigate correlations between this two fundamental cellular changes, we use cell lines, as well as primary human tumor samples. In the Optical Stretcher (OS), the softness of a single cell, its reaction to the deformation, as well as the corresponding distribution of E-Cad on the cell surface can be measured simultaneously. In the cell line model we show, that the loss of E-Cad expression is linked to softer cell bodies (MDA-MB 231, MDA-M 436, MCF-10A). In addition, EMT has been induced in MCF-10A cells by cultivation under the influence of epithelial growth factor. A significant drop in the elastic modulus as well in the reaction to external forces can be observed. Primary human mamma and cervix carcinoma samples are provided by the Universitätsklinik Leipzig. The tumor samples are processed into a single cell suspension and measured in the OS. We show that a primary tumor sample can be sorted into two sub-populations of soft and stiff cells by their E-Cad level.