Regensburg 2025 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 25: Cell Mechanics II

BP 25.1: Invited Talk

Thursday, March 20, 2025, 09:30–10:00, H44

Oncogenic signaling and stiffness sensing — •Johanna Ivaska — University of Turku

Tissue homeostasis is dependent on the spatially controlled localization of specific cell types and the correct composition of the extracellular stroma. Integrin-mediated adhesions, in conjunction with the actin cytoskeleton and signaling by receptor tyrosine kinases, regulate cell fate and identity and allow cells to migrate and invade the surrounding extra-cellular matrix (ECM). We have previously uncovered key differences between normal and cancer-associated stroma, whereby the mechanical and architectural features of normal stroma inhibit tumour growth and may epigenetically reprogram aggressive breast cancer cells towards a more benign phenotype. Recently, we turned our attention to other putative crosstalk mechanisms between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment as well as tumor cell interactions with distinct tissue borders during systemic dissemination in the body. I will describe different control mechanisms guiding cancer cell invasion across physiological borders and their relevance to cancer progression and metastasis.

Keywords: integrin; ECM; migration; invasion; cancer