Atomic force microscopy reveals the mechanical properties of breast cancer bone metastases. Issue 43 (28th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Xinyue; Hughes, Russell; Mullin, Nic; Hawkins, Rhoda J.; Holen, Ingunn; Brown, Nicola J.; Hobbs, Jamie K.
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 13:Issue 43(2021)
• Page Start: 18237
• Page End: 18246
• Publication Date: 2021-10-28
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/d1nr03900h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : The metastatic tumour growing in bone is mechanically distinct from both its surrounding environment and in vitro models. Abstract : Mechanically dependent processes are essential in cancer metastases. However, reliable mechanical characterization of metastatic cancer remains challenging whilst maintaining the tissue complexity and an intact sample. Using atomic force microscopy, we quantified the micro-mechanical properties of relatively intact metastatic breast tumours and their surrounding bone microenvironment isolated from mice, and compared with other breast cancer models both ex vivo and in vitro . A mechanical distribution of extremely low elastic modulus and viscosity was identified on metastatic tumours, which were significantly more compliant than both 2D in vitro cultured cancer cells and subcutaneous tumour explants. The presence of mechanically distinct metastatic tumour did not result in alterations of the mechanical properties of the surrounding microenvironment at meso-scale distances (>200 μm). These findings demonstrate the utility of atomic force microscopy in studies of complex tissues and provide new insights into the mechanical properties of cancer metastases in bone.