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Biomechanical and biophysical properties as diagnostic markers in breast cancer progression in diabetic conditions
Author(s) -
Ortega Jose,
Schmidt Roman,
Capellen Caleb,
Dutta Diganta,
Chandra Surabhi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.03530
Subject(s) - cytoskeleton , breast cancer , cancer cell , cancer , metastasis , cell , actin , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , pathology , biophysics , cancer research , biology , medicine , biochemistry
Cancer is the uncontrollable and continuous proliferation of cells. Hyperglycemia has been known to be a source for increasing cancer cell proliferation and furthering metastasis through a phenomenon known as Warburg effect. It is understood that mechanical properties may influence a cell’s overall functionality. Cancer cells have been shown to have altered cytoskeletal structure compared to their normal cell counterparts. It is hypothesized that diabetic conditions affect the cellular mechanics of breast epithelial cancer cells. Mechanical properties of cells involve mobility, invasiveness, deformability, and cytoskeletal filament organization. Cell lines used in this study include MCF‐7 (early‐stage breast cancer), MDA‐MB‐231 (late‐stage breast cancer cells) and MCF‐10A (normal breast epithelial cells). Cells were treated with low glucose (LG, 5mM) or high glucose (HG, 25mM) for varying time periods (24–72 h). The mechanical properties were assayed using single‐cell atomic force microscopy (AFM). The elastic modulus quantification of breast cancer cells based on results from AFM showed a distinct physical difference versus the normal breast epithelial cells. Differences in cytoskeletal organization will be further determined by visualization of actin filaments under various treatments. Cell mobility will be assayed using microfluidic devices fabricated to apply an alternating current flow to exploit the electrophoretic and electroosmotic properties under hyperglycemic conditions. Results of cellular biomechanics and cellular mobility under applied voltage in cells treated with glucose can thus potentially serve as a basis to prepare a diagnostic device for efficient, economical, and rapid diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.