Forcing form and function: biomechanical regulation of tumor evolution.

TitleForcing form and function: biomechanical regulation of tumor evolution.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsYu H, Mouw JKay, Weaver VM
JournalTrends Cell Biol
Volume21
Issue1
Pagination47-56
Date Published2011 Jan
ISSN1879-3088
KeywordsAnimals, Biomechanical Phenomena, Cell Transformation, Neoplastic, Extracellular Matrix, Humans, Neoplasms, Signal Transduction
Abstract

Cancer cells exist in a constantly evolving tissue microenvironment of diverse cell types within a proteinaceous extracellular matrix. As tumors evolve, the physical forces within this complex microenvironment change, with pleiotropic effects on both cell- and tissue-level behaviors. Recent work suggests that these biomechanical factors direct tissue development and modulate tissue homeostasis, and, when altered, crucially influence tumor evolution. In this review, we discuss the biomechanical regulation of cell and tissue homeostasis from the molecular, cellular and tissue levels, including how modifications of this physical dialogue could contribute to cancer etiology. Because of the broad impact of biomechanical factors on cell and tissue functions, an understanding of tumor evolution from the biomechanical perspective should improve risk assessment, clinical diagnosis and the efficacy of cancer treatment.

DOI10.1016/j.tcb.2010.08.015
Alternate JournalTrends Cell Biol.
PubMed ID20870407
PubMed Central IDPMC3014395
Grant ListR01 CA138818 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA138818-01A1 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA138818-01A1 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA138818-02 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 CA138818-03 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
U54CA143836-01 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States