Single cell polarity in liquid phase facilitates tumour metastasis

47Citations
Citations of this article
123Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Dynamic polarisation of tumour cells is essential for metastasis. While the role of polarisation during dedifferentiation and migration is well established, polarisation of metastasising tumour cells during phases of detachment has not been investigated. Here we identify and characterise a type of polarisation maintained by single cells in liquid phase termed single-cell (sc) polarity and investigate its role during metastasis. We demonstrate that sc polarity is an inherent feature of cells from different tumour entities that is observed in circulating tumour cells in patients. Functionally, we propose that the sc pole is directly involved in early attachment, thereby affecting adhesion, transmigration and metastasis. In vivo, the metastatic capacity of cell lines correlates with the extent of sc polarisation. By manipulating sc polarity regulators and by generic depolarisation, we show that sc polarity prior to migration affects transmigration and metastasis in vitro and in vivo.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Lorentzen, A., Becker, P. F., Kosla, J., Saini, M., Weidele, K., Ronchi, P., … Heikenwalder, M. (2018). Single cell polarity in liquid phase facilitates tumour metastasis. Nature Communications, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-03139-6

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free