RESUMEN
Dense and aligned Collagen I fibers are associated with collective cancer invasion led by protrusive tumor cells, leader cells. In some breast tumors, a population of cancer cells (basal-like cells) maintain several epithelial characteristics and express the myoepithelial/basal cell marker Keratin 14 (K14). Emergence of leader cells and K14 expression are regarded as interconnected events triggered by Collagen I, however the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Using breast carcinoma organoids, we show that Collagen I drives a force-dependent loop, specifically in basal-like cancer cells. The feed-forward loop is centered around the mechanotransducer Yap and independent of K14 expression. Yap promotes a transcriptional program that enhances Collagen I alignment and tension, which further activates Yap. Active Yap is detected in invading breast cancer cells in patients and required for collective invasion in 3D Collagen I and in the mammary fat pad of mice. Our work uncovers an essential function for Yap in leader cell selection during collective cancer invasion.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas Adaptadoras Transductoras de Señales , Neoplasias de la Mama , Colágeno Tipo I , Mecanotransducción Celular , Invasividad Neoplásica , Factores de Transcripción , Proteínas Señalizadoras YAP , Animales , Femenino , Humanos , Ratones , Proteínas Adaptadoras Transductoras de Señales/metabolismo , Proteínas Adaptadoras Transductoras de Señales/genética , Neoplasias de la Mama/metabolismo , Neoplasias de la Mama/patología , Neoplasias de la Mama/genética , Línea Celular Tumoral , Colágeno Tipo I/metabolismo , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica , Organoides/metabolismo , Organoides/patología , Factores de Transcripción/metabolismo , Factores de Transcripción/genética , Proteínas Señalizadoras YAP/metabolismoRESUMEN
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for cell support during homeostasis and plays a critical role in cancer. Although research often concentrates on the tumor's cellular aspect, attention is growing for the importance of the cancer-associated ECM. Biochemical and physical ECM signals affect tumor formation, invasion, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Examining the tumor microenvironment uncovers intricate ECM dysregulation and interactions with cancer and stromal cells. Anticancer therapies targeting ECM sensors and remodelers, including integrins and matrix metalloproteinases, and ECM-remodeling cells, have seen limited success. This review explores the ECM's role in cancer and discusses potential therapeutic strategies for cell-ECM interactions.
