Cited by 192Cellular Mechanics and InteractionsElasticity and Material ModelingHydrogels: synthesis, properties, applications

Complex mechanics of the heterogeneous extracellular matrix in cancer

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Malandrino, Andrea, Mak, Michael, Kamm, Roger D., Moeendarbary, Emad·2018·Extreme Mechanics Letters

Abstract

The extracellular matrix (ECM) performs many critical functions, one of which is to provide structural and mechanical integrity, and many of the constituent proteins have clear mechanical roles. The composition and structural characteristics of the ECM are widely variable among different tissues, suiting diverse functional needs. In diseased tissues, particularly solid tumors, the ECM is complex and influences disease progression. Cancer and stromal cells can significantly influence the matrix composition and structure and thus the mechanical properties of the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this review, we describe the interactions that give rise to the structural heterogeneity of the ECM and present the techniques that are widely employed to measure ECM properties and remodeling dynamics. Furthermore, we review the tools for measuring the distinct nature of cell-ECM interactions within the TME.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.eml.2018.02.003

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  • The ability to exert local control over chemical and mechanical properties allows researchers to duplicate the heterogeneity in stiffness and composition found in organs, generate interfaces between materials similar to those found in the ECM, and duplicate essential elements of material microstructure; each of these controls has implications for organ function and disease.

    “The ability to exert local control over chemical and mechanical properties allows researchers to duplicate the heterogeneity in stiffness and composition found in organs, generate interfaces between materials similar to those found in the ECM, and duplicate essential elements of material microstructure; each of these controls has implications for organ function and disease131,132.”

    From Towards organoid culture without Matrigel (2021) · cites this paper as [131]

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Authors
Malandrino, A., Mak, M., Kamm, R. D., & Moeendarbary, E.
Affiliations
  • European Molecular Biology Laboratory (ES)
  • Yale University (US)
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US)
  • University College London (GB)
Corresponding author
  • Malandrino, Andrea
  • Mak, Michael
  • Kamm, Roger D.
  • Moeendarbary, Emad
Venue
Extreme Mechanics Letters
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-05
Volume
21
Pages
25-34
ISSN
2352-4316 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2794352591
Cited by
192
References
136
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 4
FWCI
2.87
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Extreme Mechanics Letters (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DSpace@MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
  • Elsevier eBooks
Funders
  • People Programme (Marie Curie Actions) of the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (625500)
  • U.S. National Cancer Institute (U01 CA202177-01)
  • Cancer Research UK Multidisciplinary Award (C57744/A22057)
  • Wellcome Trust-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Fellowship (WT103883)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Elasticity and Material Modeling
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Medicine › Hydrogels: synthesis, properties, applications
Keywords
extracellular matrix, tumor microenvironment, extracellular matrix remodeling, cell-matrix interactions, cancer, tumor stroma, ECM composition

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