The epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the cytoskeleton in bioengineered systems
Abstract The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is intrinsically linked to alterations of the intracellular cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. After EMT, cells acquire an elongated morphology with front/back polarity, which can be attributed to actin-driven protrusion formation as well...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Cell Communication and Signaling |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-021-00713-2 |
| _version_ | 1818370398363844608 |
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| author | Susan E. Leggett Alex M. Hruska Ming Guo Ian Y. Wong |
| author_facet | Susan E. Leggett Alex M. Hruska Ming Guo Ian Y. Wong |
| author_sort | Susan E. Leggett |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is intrinsically linked to alterations of the intracellular cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. After EMT, cells acquire an elongated morphology with front/back polarity, which can be attributed to actin-driven protrusion formation as well as the gain of vimentin expression. Consequently, cells can deform and remodel the surrounding matrix in order to facilitate local invasion. In this review, we highlight recent bioengineering approaches to elucidate EMT and functional changes in the cytoskeleton. First, we review transitions between multicellular clusters and dispersed individuals on planar surfaces, which often exhibit coordinated behaviors driven by leader cells and EMT. Second, we consider the functional role of vimentin, which can be probed at subcellular length scales and within confined spaces. Third, we discuss the role of topographical patterning and EMT via a contact guidance like mechanism. Finally, we address how multicellular clusters disorganize and disseminate in 3D matrix. These new technologies enable controlled physical microenvironments and higher-resolution spatiotemporal measurements of EMT at the single cell level. In closing, we consider future directions for the field and outstanding questions regarding EMT and the cytoskeleton for human cancer progression. Video Abstract |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T23:39:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c870ca742aa94ae3846ffdb718c4bcc4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1478-811X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T23:39:06Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cell Communication and Signaling |
| spelling | doaj.art-c870ca742aa94ae3846ffdb718c4bcc42022-12-21T23:27:12ZengBMCCell Communication and Signaling1478-811X2021-03-0119112410.1186/s12964-021-00713-2The epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the cytoskeleton in bioengineered systemsSusan E. Leggett0Alex M. Hruska1Ming Guo2Ian Y. Wong3Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton UniversitySchool of Engineering, Center for Biomedical Engineering, and Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown UniversityDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, MITSchool of Engineering, Center for Biomedical Engineering, and Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown UniversityAbstract The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is intrinsically linked to alterations of the intracellular cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. After EMT, cells acquire an elongated morphology with front/back polarity, which can be attributed to actin-driven protrusion formation as well as the gain of vimentin expression. Consequently, cells can deform and remodel the surrounding matrix in order to facilitate local invasion. In this review, we highlight recent bioengineering approaches to elucidate EMT and functional changes in the cytoskeleton. First, we review transitions between multicellular clusters and dispersed individuals on planar surfaces, which often exhibit coordinated behaviors driven by leader cells and EMT. Second, we consider the functional role of vimentin, which can be probed at subcellular length scales and within confined spaces. Third, we discuss the role of topographical patterning and EMT via a contact guidance like mechanism. Finally, we address how multicellular clusters disorganize and disseminate in 3D matrix. These new technologies enable controlled physical microenvironments and higher-resolution spatiotemporal measurements of EMT at the single cell level. In closing, we consider future directions for the field and outstanding questions regarding EMT and the cytoskeleton for human cancer progression. Video Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-021-00713-2ActinVimentinCytoskeletonCollective migrationExtracellular matrix |
| spellingShingle | Susan E. Leggett Alex M. Hruska Ming Guo Ian Y. Wong The epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the cytoskeleton in bioengineered systems Cell Communication and Signaling Actin Vimentin Cytoskeleton Collective migration Extracellular matrix |
| title | The epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the cytoskeleton in bioengineered systems |
| title_full | The epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the cytoskeleton in bioengineered systems |
| title_fullStr | The epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the cytoskeleton in bioengineered systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | The epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the cytoskeleton in bioengineered systems |
| title_short | The epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the cytoskeleton in bioengineered systems |
| title_sort | epithelial mesenchymal transition and the cytoskeleton in bioengineered systems |
| topic | Actin Vimentin Cytoskeleton Collective migration Extracellular matrix |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-021-00713-2 |
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