Chen, X. orcid.org/0000-0001-6987-5540, Hughes, R., Mullin, N. et al. (4 more authors) (Submitted: 2021) Atomic force microscopy reveals the mechanical properties of breast cancer bone metastases. bioRxiv. (Submitted)
Abstract
Mechanically dependent processes are essential in cancer metastases. However, reliable mechanical characterisation of metastatic cancer remains challenging whilst maintaining the tissue complexity and an intact sample. Using atomic force microscopy, we quantified the micro-mechanical properties of relatively intact metastatic breast tumours and their surrounding bone microenvironment isolated from mice, and compared with other breast cancer models both ex vivo and in vitro. A unique mechanical distribution of extremely low elastic modulus and viscosity was identified on metastatic tumours, which were significantly more compliant than both 2D in vitro cultured cancer cells and subcutaneous tumour explants. The presence of mechanically distinct metastatic tumour did not result in alterations of the mechanical properties of the surrounding microenvironment at meso-scale distances (> 200 µm). These findings demonstrate the utility of atomic force microscopy in studies of complex tissues and provide new insights into the mechanical properties of cancer metastases in bone.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2021 The Authors. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Science (Sheffield) > Department of Physics and Astronomy (Sheffield) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number Cancer Research UK C8525/A21082 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 24 Nov 2021 08:31 |
Last Modified: | 11 Mar 2022 10:06 |
Published Version: | http://doi.org/10.1039/d1nr03900h |
Status: | Submitted |
Publisher: | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory |
Identification Number: | 10.1101/2021.06.01.446539 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:180815 |