Cancer cells transfer invasive properties through microRNAs contained in collagen tracks
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Invasion is a prerequisite for metastasis formation. During tumor development, type I collagen overexpression increases tumor microenvironment stiffness, facilitating cancer cell dissemination. During breast cancer cell migration in 2D and 3D matrices, we observed membrane debris left behind, attached to the collagen fibrils, along the migration path. We named these structures collagen -tracks. Their formation is stimulated by the interaction between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and matrix receptors, such as discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1). They present a specific nucleic acid and protein contents. When deposited by highly invasive breast cancer cells, internalized collagen tracks reprogram non-invasive cells into highly pro-metastatic ones, increasing their ECM degradation and invasive capacities. This cell reprogramming is dependent on specific microRNAs (miRNAs) identified in the collagen tracks. Collagen tracks thus represent a form of cell-cell communication important for driving tumor invasion that could be targeted to prevent metastasis.
Source: Cell Reports
Authors: Lucile Rouyer, Léa Normand, Elodie Richard, Nathalie Allain, Julie Giraud, Sylvaine Di-Tommaso, Cyril Dourthe, Anne-Aurélie Raymond, Jean-William Dupuy, Kevin Moreau, Richard Iggo, Gaetan MacGrogan, Nathalie Dugot-Senant, Anthony Bouter, Sisareuth Tan, Alexandre Favereaux, Violaine Moreau, Reini F. Luco, Manon Ros, Frédéric Saltel
Institutions: Université de Bordeaux, Inserm, BoRdeaux Institute of onCology, TBM-Core, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Intégrité du génome, ARN et cancer, Institut Curie, Institut Bergonié, Chimie et Biologie des Membranes et des Nanoobjects, Institut Interdisciplinaire de Neuroscience
Language: English
Subfield: Cell Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,620
Awards: G3196925764, G3599557161
OpenAlex ID: W4417209152