The Elasticity Response to Substrate Stiffness in Cancer Cells

POSTER

Abstract

We measured the effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness on cancer cell behavior with a silicone-based substrate platform that mimics relevant physiological tissue stiffness ranges. Cell lines grown on this platform exhibit drastically different morphologies depending upon the microenvironment stiffness. In order to study the effect of substrate stiffness on cellular membrane tension, the forces from extracted membrane tethers were quantified using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Based on the results obtained from HeLa, EKVX, and MDA-MB-453 cell lines, an increase in the membrane tether forces was observed as the substrate stiffness increased, suggesting the differences in morphological outcomes are a result of changes in membrane elasticity.

Authors

  • Nicolas Nikoloutsos

    Lamar University

  • Ian Lian

    Lamar University

  • Arthur Sweeney

    Lee College, Baytown, TX, Lamar University, University of Texas at Arlington, Angelo State University, Rice University, Texas State University, College of William and Mary and National Institute of Aerospace, Nanyang Technological University, China Jiliang University, Baylor University, Louisiana State University, College of William and Mary, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas at Dallas, Univ of Texas, Austin, Texas State Univ-San Marcos, University of Cambridge, University of Texas at Austin, Indiana University - Bloomington, Lamar Univiversity, University of Cincinnati, Deartment of Physics, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas A&M University, College Station, University of Texas - Dallas, University of Dallas

  • Arthur Sweeney

    Lee College, Baytown, TX, Lamar University, University of Texas at Arlington, Angelo State University, Rice University, Texas State University, College of William and Mary and National Institute of Aerospace, Nanyang Technological University, China Jiliang University, Baylor University, Louisiana State University, College of William and Mary, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas at Dallas, Univ of Texas, Austin, Texas State Univ-San Marcos, University of Cambridge, University of Texas at Austin, Indiana University - Bloomington, Lamar Univiversity, University of Cincinnati, Deartment of Physics, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas A&M University, College Station, University of Texas - Dallas, University of Dallas

  • Arthur Sweeney

    Lee College, Baytown, TX, Lamar University, University of Texas at Arlington, Angelo State University, Rice University, Texas State University, College of William and Mary and National Institute of Aerospace, Nanyang Technological University, China Jiliang University, Baylor University, Louisiana State University, College of William and Mary, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas at Dallas, Univ of Texas, Austin, Texas State Univ-San Marcos, University of Cambridge, University of Texas at Austin, Indiana University - Bloomington, Lamar Univiversity, University of Cincinnati, Deartment of Physics, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas A&M University, College Station, University of Texas - Dallas, University of Dallas

  • Arthur Sweeney

    Lee College, Baytown, TX, Lamar University, University of Texas at Arlington, Angelo State University, Rice University, Texas State University, College of William and Mary and National Institute of Aerospace, Nanyang Technological University, China Jiliang University, Baylor University, Louisiana State University, College of William and Mary, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas at Dallas, Univ of Texas, Austin, Texas State Univ-San Marcos, University of Cambridge, University of Texas at Austin, Indiana University - Bloomington, Lamar Univiversity, University of Cincinnati, Deartment of Physics, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas A&M University, College Station, University of Texas - Dallas, University of Dallas

  • Arthur Sweeney

    Lee College, Baytown, TX, Lamar University, University of Texas at Arlington, Angelo State University, Rice University, Texas State University, College of William and Mary and National Institute of Aerospace, Nanyang Technological University, China Jiliang University, Baylor University, Louisiana State University, College of William and Mary, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas at Dallas, Univ of Texas, Austin, Texas State Univ-San Marcos, University of Cambridge, University of Texas at Austin, Indiana University - Bloomington, Lamar Univiversity, University of Cincinnati, Deartment of Physics, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas A&M University, College Station, University of Texas - Dallas, University of Dallas

  • Arthur Sweeney

    Lee College, Baytown, TX, Lamar University, University of Texas at Arlington, Angelo State University, Rice University, Texas State University, College of William and Mary and National Institute of Aerospace, Nanyang Technological University, China Jiliang University, Baylor University, Louisiana State University, College of William and Mary, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas at Dallas, Univ of Texas, Austin, Texas State Univ-San Marcos, University of Cambridge, University of Texas at Austin, Indiana University - Bloomington, Lamar Univiversity, University of Cincinnati, Deartment of Physics, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas A&M University, College Station, University of Texas - Dallas, University of Dallas