title: Probing the biophysical properties of primary breast tumor-derived fibroblasts.
abstract: As cancer progresses, cells must adapt to a new and stiffer environment, which can ultimately alter how normal cells within the tumor behave. In turn, these cells are known to further aid tumor progression. Therefore, there is potentially a unique avenue to better understand metastatic potential through single-cell biophysical assays performed on patient-derived cells. Here, we perform biophysical characterization of primary human fibroblastic cells obtained from mammary carcinoma and normal contralateral tissue. Through a series of tissue dissociation, differential centrifugation and trypsinization steps, we isolate an adherent fibroblastic population viable for biomechanical testing. 2D TFM and 3D migration measurements in a collagen matrix show that fibroblasts obtained from patient tumors generate more traction forces and display improved migration potential than their counterparts from normal tissue. Moreover, through the use of an embedded spheroid model, we confirmed the extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling behavior of primary cells isolated from carcinoma. Overall, correlating biophysical characterization of normal- and carcinoma-derived samples from individual patient along with patient outcome may become a powerful approach to further our comprehension of metastasis and ultimately design drug targets on a patient-specific basis.
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
authors: Turi A
authors: TA
authors: Alcoser
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
authors: Francois
authors: F
authors: Bordeleau
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
authors: Shawn P
authors: SP
authors: Carey
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
authors: Marsha C
authors: MC
authors: Lampi
authors: Department of Statistical Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
authors: Daniel R
authors: DR
authors: Kowal
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
authors: Sahana
authors: S
authors: Somasegar
authors: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065.
authors: Sonal
authors: S
authors: Varma
authors: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065.
authors: Sandra J
authors: SJ
authors: Shin
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
authors: Cynthia A
authors: CA
authors: Reinhart-King