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Fibroblast-led collective invasion of carcinoma cells with differing roles for RhoGTPases in leading and following cells
Abstract
Imaging of collectively invading cocultures of carcinoma cells and stromal fibroblasts reveals that the leading cell is always a fibroblast and that carcinoma cells move within tracks in the extracellular matrix behind the fibroblast. The generation of these tracks by fibroblasts is sufficient to enable the collective invasion of the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells and requires both protease- and force-mediated matrix remodelling. Force-mediated matrix remodelling depends on integrins alpha3 and alpha5, and Rho-mediated regulation of myosin light chain (MLC) activity in fibroblasts, but these factors are not required in carcinoma cells. Instead, carcinoma cells use Cdc42 and MRCK (myotonic dystrophy kinase-related CDC42-binding protein kinases) mediated regulation of MLC to follow the tracks generated by fibroblasts.
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“These CAFs are characterized by the expression of specific markers, such as desmin and fibroblast activation protein, and are now recognized as key contributors to ECM remodeling, angiogenesis, and metastasis [36,37,38,39,40].”
From Modeling Tumor Microenvironment Complexity In Vitro: Spheroids as Physiologically Relevant Tumor Models and Strategies for Their Analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [37]
In the citing paper
“This depends on RHO and RAB GTPase-mediated control of integrin-mediated adhesions and the actomyosin cytoskeleton81–83 and is linked to downregulation of the transmembrane receptor CD36 (also known as platelet glycoprotein 4)84.”
From A framework for advancing our understanding of cancer-associated fibroblasts (2020) · cites this paper as [81]
In the citing paper
“Although chemical crosslinks are not readily reversed, the production of matrix proteases allows the tumour matrix to be remodelled, and this can lead to the generation of permissive tracks that allow cancer cell invasion81.”
From A framework for advancing our understanding of cancer-associated fibroblasts (2020) · cites this paper as [81]
In the citing paper
“In addition, CAFs secrete substantial amounts of growth factors, proinflammatory cytokines, and chemokines, particularly TGF-β, IL-6, and CC-chemokine ligand 2, which recruit immunosuppressive cells into the tumor stroma and lead to immune escape 20-22.”
From TBX3 shapes an immunosuppressive microenvironment and induces immunotherapy resistance (2025) · cites this paper as [22]
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Räsänen, K., & Vaheri, A. (2010) · Experimental Cell Research · doi:10.1016/j.yexcr.2010.04.032 · Cited by 499
“[22] demonstrated that CAFs generate force- and protease-mediated tracks into ECM, and cancer cells follow these leading fibroblasts along the tracks.”
BackgroundFroeling, F. E. M., Feig, C., Chelala, C., Dobson, R., Mein, C. A., Tuveson, D. A., Clevers, H. C., Hart, I. R., & Kocher, H. M. (2011) · Gastroenterology · doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2011.06.047 · Cited by 421
Kaur, A., Ecker, B. L., Douglass, S. M., Kugel, C. H., Webster, M. R., Almeida, F. V., Somasundaram, R., Hayden, J. E., Ban, E., Ahmadzadeh, H., et al. (2018) · Cancer Discovery · doi:10.1158/2159-8290.cd-18-0193 · Cited by 437
“Structural ECM organization influences melanoma cell invasion Cell motility is thought to be a function of stiffness of the matrix as well as intrinsic invasiveness of the cells (32-34).”
BackgroundOncogene-like induction of cellular invasion from centrosome amplification
Godinho, S. A., Picone, R., Burute, M., Dagher, R., Su, Y., Leung, C. T., Polyák, K., Brugge, J. S., Théry, M., & Pellman, D. S. (2014) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature13277 · Cited by 421
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“Since stromal fibroblasts can play an important role in tumor invasiveness27,28, we also tested the requirement for MRTF-SRF activity in an organotypic invasion model, in which tumour cells move through collagen gel along tracks generated by stromal carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs)29.”
ROCK and JAK1 Signaling Cooperate to Control Actomyosin Contractility in Tumor Cells and Stroma
Sanz-Moreno, V., Gaggioli, C., Yeo, M., Albrengues, J., Wallberg, F., Viros, A., Hooper, S., Mitter, R., Féral, C. C., Cook, M., et al. (2011) · Cancer Cell · doi:10.1016/j.ccr.2011.06.018 · Cited by 409
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“…led to the hypothesis that ZO-1 may serve tuning apical-basolateral polarity within moving groups but mechanism remains poorly understood (68). wealth of evidence supports that preservation of intact tight junctions prevents tumor dissemination by inhibiting cell proliferation and migration 23).”
Podoplanin: emerging functions in development, the immune system, and cancer
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“There is a wealth of data on the tumor-promoting effects of CAFs, which has been reviewed elsewhere (Kalluri and Zeisberg, 2006; Gaggioli et al., 2007), but only recently have specific functions for PDPN on CAFs been examined.”
BackgroundThe big five in fibrosis: Macrophages, myofibroblasts, matrix, mechanics, and miscommunication
Pakshir, P., & Hinz, B. (2018) · Matrix Biology · doi:10.1016/j.matbio.2018.01.019 · Cited by 396
Tumor-Stroma Mechanics Coordinate Amino Acid Availability to Sustain Tumor Growth and Malignancy
Bertero, T., Oldham, W. M., Grasset, E. M., Bourget, I., Boulter, E., Pisano, S., Hofman, P., Bellvert, F., Meneguzzi, G., Bulavin, D. V., et al. (2019) · Cell Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2018.09.012 · Cited by 393
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Mechanisms of collective cell migration at a glance
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“Here, an individual ‘leader’ cell utilizes focalized proteolysis by the surfacecollagenase MT1-MMP to generate tracks of least mechanical resistance that enable the cell mass to undergo subsequent collective invasion (Wolf et al., 2007).”
InfluentialMigratory neighbors and distant invaders: tumor-associated niche cellsPreprint
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“(2007) observed that fibroblasts enable collective invasion of squamous cell carcinoma (SSC) cells by both proteolytic and structural modification of the ECM, thus creating a path through which cancer cells can travel (Gaggioli et al. 2007).”
BackgroundThe Interplay between Extracellular Matrix Remodeling and Cancer Therapeutics
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“The blockade of integrin α 3, α 5, or Rho-Rock function in CAFs reduces the formation of these tracks and hampers cancer cell invasion (10).”
BackgroundCell–cell adhesion and 3D matrix confinement determine jamming transitions in breast cancer invasion
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Cancer Invasion: Patterns and Mechanisms
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“Coordinated protease, integrin and RhoA function is required in the leading cells to remodel the extracellular matrix and facilitate the invasion of subsequent cell”
BackgroundInterplay of RhoA and mechanical forces in collective cell migration driven by leader cells
Reffay, M., Parrini, M. C., Cochet‐Escartin, O., Ladoux, B., Buguin, A., Coscoy, S., Amblard, F., Camonis, J., & Silberzan, P. (2014) · Nature Cell Biology · doi:10.1038/ncb2917 · Cited by 355
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“There is evidence to suggest that CAFs use protease and mechanical remodeling of ECM to lay tracks along which HNSCC tumor cell invade [95].”
Background
Metadata
- Authors
- Gaggioli, C., Hooper, S., Hidalgo-Carcedo, C., Grosse, R., Marshall, J. F., Harrington, K., & Sahai, E.
- Affiliations
- Cancer Research UK (GB)
- Heidelberg University (DE)
- Queen Mary University of London (GB)
- Institute of Cancer Research (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Sahai, Erik
- ORCID
- Venue
- Nature Cell Biology
- Published
- 2007-11-25
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 1392-1400
- ISSN
- 1465-7392 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-4679
- OpenAlex
- W1977381126
- Cited by
- 1,589
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2026: 57 · 2025: 75 · 2024: 70 · 2023: 108 · 2022: 97 · 2021: 110 · 2020: 117 · 2019: 106 · 2018: 93 · 2017: 100 · 2016: 86 · 2015: 87 · 2014: 92 · 2013: 79 · 2012: 80
- FWCI
- 20.14
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Nature Cell Biology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Protein Kinase Regulation and GTPase Signaling
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer Cells and Metastasis
- Keywords
- collective invasion, carcinoma cells, stromal fibroblasts, Rho GTPases, Cdc42, MRCK, myosin light chain, integrin alpha3, integrin alpha5, extracellular matrix remodeling, squamous cell carcinoma, cell tracks
- MeSH terms
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell, Cell Movement, Cells, Cultured, Extracellular Matrix, Fibroblasts, Heat-Shock Proteins, Humans, Neoplasm Invasiveness, Myosin Light Chains, rho GTP-Binding Proteins, cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein, Integrin alpha3, Integrin alpha5, HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins
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