Cited by 80Cellular Mechanics and InteractionsCancer Cells and MetastasisProtease and Inhibitor Mechanisms

Aligned forces: origins and mechanisms of cancer dissemination guided by extracellular matrix architecture

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Ray, Arja, Provenzano, Paolo P.·2021·Current Opinion in Cell Biology

Abstract

Organized extracellular matrix (ECM), in the form of aligned architectures, is a critical mediator of directed cancer cell migration by contact guidance, leading to metastasis in solid tumors. Current models suggest anisotropic force generation through the engagement of key adhesion and cytoskeletal complexes drives contact-guided migration. Likewise, disrupting the balance between cell-cell and cell-ECM forces, driven by ECM engagement for cells at the tumor-stromal interface, initiates and drives local invasion. Furthermore, processes such as traction forces exerted by cancer and stromal cells, spontaneous reorientation of matrix-producing fibroblasts, and direct binding of ECM modifying proteins lead to the emergence of collagen alignment in tumors. Thus, as we obtain a deeper understanding of the origins of ECM alignment and the mechanisms by which it is maintained to direct invasion, we are poised to use the new paradigm of stroma-targeted therapies to disrupt this vital axis of disease progression in solid tumors.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.ceb.2021.05.004

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  • Cell traction deforms the ECM network from curvy and relaxed to stretched and linearized (anisotropic) architecture, typically aligned parallel or perpendicular to the tumor edge (TACS).

    “The resulting cell traction then deforms the network from originally curvy and relaxed towards a stretched and linearized (anisotropic) architecture, which typically aligns in parallel or perpendicular orientation to the tumor edge, which is termed tumorassociated collagen signatures (TACS) (Figure 1) [19].”
  • Stiffened ECM causes increased integrin signaling- and actomyosin contraction-mediated mechanocoupling.

    “Stiffened ECM causes increased integrin signaling-and actomyosin contractionmediated mechanocoupling.”

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [50]Beerling E, Oosterom I, Voest E, Lolkema M, and van Rheenen J. Intravital characterization of tumor cell migration in pancreatic cancer. Intravital 5:e1261773. 2016. PMC5226006 28243522

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Authors
Ray, A., & Provenzano, P. P.
Affiliations
  • University of California, San Francisco (US)
  • University of Minnesota (US)
Corresponding author
  • Ray, Arja
  • Provenzano, Paolo P.
Venue
Current Opinion in Cell Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-10
Volume
72
Pages
63-71
ISSN
0955-0674 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3176488157
Cited by
80
References
74
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 4
FWCI
1.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Current Opinion in Cell Biology (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Cancer Research Institute (CRI2940)
  • National Institutes of Health (R01CA245550, U54CA210190)
  • American Cancer Society
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer Cells and Metastasis
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Protease and Inhibitor Mechanisms
Keywords
extracellular matrix alignment, tumor cell migration, contact guidance, metastasis, tumor invasion, cell adhesion, cytoskeleton, collagen fiber alignment, stroma-targeted therapy, solid tumors
MeSH terms
Cell Communication, Cell Movement, Collagen, Extracellular Matrix, Neoplasms, Cell Line, Tumor

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