Fibroblast-tracks are topographical cues that direct cancer cell migration

ABSTRACT: Fibroblasts rely on adhesive structures to migrate. It is generally thought that adhesive structures disassemble once at the rear of the cell to release the cell and allow further movement. However, a significant portion of adhesions is not disassembled and is instead left on the substrate. We observed that virtually all the non-resorbed adhesions remain connected to the substrate by the means of integrin β5. Forward cell migration results in plasma membrane pulling giving rise to tubular structures that are then left on the ground, forming a network of lipid tracks that persist for several days, thus altering substrate’s topography. Cancer cells of different origin exploit fibroblast-tracks as migration railways. The adhesion of cancer cells along tracks is not mediated by focal adhesions, but rather by frustrated clathrin-coated structures (CCSs). Analysis of the composition of track generated by cancer associated fibroblasts allowed to identify integrin αv as the receptor on cancer cells responsible for track recognition. Some cancer cell lines are not able to perform durotaxis (rigidity driven migration), while fibroblasts are very good at it. We thus tested whether, in the presence of fibroblast-tracks, non-durotactic cancer cells would become durotactic by following tracks and this was indeed the case. Hence, fibroblast-tracks are a novel structure capable of physically directing cell migration of different cell types.

INSTRUMENT(S): Orbitrap Fusion

ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)

TISSUE(S): Cell Culture

SUBMITTER: Vanessa Masson  

LAB HEAD: Damarys Loew

PROVIDER: PXD034091 | Pride | 2023-09-22

REPOSITORIES: Pride