Tumor-induced solid stress activates β-catenin signaling to drive malignant behavior in normal, tumor-adjacent cells.

TitleTumor-induced solid stress activates β-catenin signaling to drive malignant behavior in normal, tumor-adjacent cells.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsOu G, Weaver VMarie
JournalBioessays
Volume37
Issue12
Pagination1293-7
Date Published2015 Dec
ISSN1521-1878
Abstract

Recent work by Fernández-Sánchez and coworkers examining the impact of applied pressure on the malignant phenotype of murine colon tissue in vivo revealed that mechanical perturbations can drive malignant behavior in genetically normal cells. Their findings build upon an existing understanding of how the mechanical cues experienced by cells within a tissue become progressively modified as the tissue transforms. Using magnetically stimulated ultra-magnetic liposomes to mimic tumor growth -induced solid stress, Fernández-Sánchez and coworkers were able to stimulate β-catenin to promote the cancerous behavior of both a normal and genetically modified colon epithelium. In this perspective, we discuss their findings in the context of what is currently known regarding the role of the mechanical landscape in cancer progression and β-catenin as a mechanotransducer. We review data that suggest that mechanically regulated activation of β-catenin fosters development of a malignant phenotype in tissue and predict that mechanical cues may contribute to tumor heterogeneity.

DOI10.1002/bies.201500090
Alternate JournalBioessays
PubMed ID26439949
PubMed Central IDPMC4731088
Grant ListR01 CA085492 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA138818 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA174929 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA192914 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
U01 CA151925 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
U01 CA202241 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
U54 CA163155 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States