Matrix mechanics governs mechano-metabolic adaptation across cancer grades in bladder spheroids
Metwally, S.; Gil, D.; Smialek-Bartyzel, J.; Pabijan, J.; Wator, G.; GNANACHANDRAN, K.; Berardi, M.; Lekka, M.
Show abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanics critically influence cancer progression, yet the interplay between ECM viscoelasticity, architecture, and tumor cell adaptation remains incompletely understood. Here, we engineered collagen-hyaluronan hydrogels with tunable stiffness to mimic soft and stiff tumor microenvironments and studied bladder cancer spheroids representing benign, low-invasive, and highly invasive stages. Using hydraulic force spectroscopy, rheometry, and molecular analyses, we found that matrix stiffness differentially modulates spheroid morphology, migration, and expression of adhesion and metabolic markers. Active ECM remodeling via metalloproteinase MMP-2 facilitated migration in compliant but not rigid matrices, while mechano-metabolic coupling varied with cancer progression stage. These findings reveal how bladder cancer cells adapt to mechanical cues through coordinated biomechanical and metabolic responses, underscoring the importance of integrating cellular and matrix mechanics in modeling tumor invasion and developing targeted therapies.
Matching journals
The top 7 journals account for 50% of the predicted probability mass.
Similar papers in this journal
Similar papers in this journal
- Extracellular matrix viscoelasticity regulates mammary branching morphogenesis 96%
- Soft, dynamic hydrogel confinement improves kidney organoid lumen morphology and reduces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in culture 95%
- NaBC1 boron transporter enables myoblast response to substrate rigidity via fibronectin-binding integrins 95%
Similar papers in this journal
- Viscoelastic Notch Signaling Hydrogel Induces Liver Bile Duct Organoid Growth and Morphogenesis 95%
- Human progenitor T-cell differentiation regulated by the mechanical resistance of thymus-mimetic extracellular matrices 95%
- Hybrid Scaffolds Decouple Biochemical & Biophysical Regulation of Cell Phenotype 94%
Similar papers in this journal
- Viscoelastic relaxation of collagen networks provides a self-generated directional cue during collective migration 92%
- Hybrid hydrogel-extracellular matrix scaffolds identify distinct ligand and mechanical signatures in cardiac aging 92%
- Nature of active forces in tissues: how contractile cells can form extensile monolayers 92%
Similar papers in this journal
- Integration of lymphatic vasculature to a human lymph node-on-chip enhances physiological immune properties 93%
- Neuro-Regenerative Behavior of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Aligned Collagen I Hydrogels 92%
- Breast cancer cell-derived extracellular vesicles accelerate collagen fibrillogenesis and integrate into the matrix 92%
"Similar papers" are the closest papers from that journal in the model's embedding space. They show what the match is built on, but the ranking comes mostly from a classifier over the whole training set, not from these examples alone.