Authors: Zixin Liu, Jingxuan Fu, Hongbo Yuan, Biao Ma, Zhanshuo Cao, Yafei Chen, Chengfen Xing, Xuezhi Niu, Ning Li, Hui Wang, Hailong An

Journal: Acta Biomaterialia (2022)

Institution: Hebei University of Technology

Research Areas: Cancer research

Cell Lines: HepG2 (Hepatocellular carcinoma cell line)

Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma development is closely related to the changes in tissue mechanics induced by excess collagen deposition and crosslinking, which leads to liver fibrosis and malignant progression. Liver exhibits nonlinear elasticity by strain-stiffening, allowing cells to mechanically interact with their micromilieus. The effect of nonlinear elasticity by strain-stiffening, is assessed in HepG2 liver cancer cell behavior by using a biomimetic hydrogel with tunable mechanical properties, polyisocyanides (PIC). PIC gelswith higher critical stress promote the motility and invasiveness of HepG2 cells and induce upregulated expression levels of KCa3.1 potassium channel and YAP, but which can be suppressed by inhibiting the formation of actin fibers.HoloMonitor M4 was used for single cell tracking study.

Keywords: HoloMonitor M4, single cell tracking, Polyisocyanide, hydrogel, Strain-stiffening, Liver carcinoma cell, KCa3, 1, potassium channel