Fig. 9: Model. | Nature Communications

Fig. 9: Model.

From: Matrix mechano-sensing at the invasive front induces a cytoskeletal and transcriptional memory supporting metastasis

Fig. 9: Model.

Matrix organisation in primary tumours and metastasis: matrix heterogenous distribution in human solid tumours coupled to changes in the cytoskeleton and invasive patterns. The observations in primary tumour are mirrored in metastatic lesions. Mechanism at the cellular level (bottom): cancer cells under confinement, imposed by increased matrix, retract their protrusions and contract their cytoskeleton reducing cell-matrix adhesion. This retraction is accompanied by vinculin uncoupling from adhesions and activation of RhoA-ROCK-Myosin II axis leading to long-term transcriptional reprogramming orchestrated by YAP1-NF-κB and STAT3. Figure created in BioRender. Maiques, O. (2025) https://BioRender.com/v18d918.

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