Vinculin Force Sensor Detects Tumor-Osteocyte Interactions

Sci Rep. 2019 Apr 4;9(1):5615. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-42132-x.

Abstract

This study utilized a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based molecular tension sensor and live cell imaging to evaluate the effect of osteocytes, a mechanosensitive bone cell, on the migratory behavior of tumor cells. Two cell lines derived from MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were transfected with the vinculin tension sensor to quantitatively evaluate the force in focal adhesions of the tumor cell. Tumor cells treated with MLO-A5 osteocyte-conditioned media (CM) decreased the tensile forces in their focal adhesions and decreased their migratory potential. Tumor cells treated with media derived from MLO-A5 cells exposed to fluid flow-driven shear stress (FFCM) increased the tensile forces and increased migratory potential. Focal adhesion tension in tumor cells was also affected by distance from MLO-A5 cells when the two cells were co-cultured, where tumor cells close to MLO-A5 cells exhibited lower tension and decreased cell motility. Overall, this study demonstrates that focal adhesion tension is involved in altered migratory potential of tumor cells, and tumor-osteocyte interactions decrease the tension and motility of tumor cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / physiology*
  • Female
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / methods
  • Focal Adhesions / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism
  • Osteoblasts / physiology
  • Osteocytes / metabolism
  • Osteocytes / physiology*
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Vinculin / metabolism*
  • Vinculin / physiology

Substances

  • VCL protein, human
  • Vinculin