The Mechanochemical Coupling Mechanism of Matrix Stiffnesses and Growth Factors Driving the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

ZHU Hongyuan; WANG Yushuai; LIN Min

doi:10.21656/1000-0887.450107

Volume 45 Issue 6

Jun. 2024

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ZHU Hongyuan, WANG Yushuai, LIN Min. The Mechanochemical Coupling Mechanism of Matrix Stiffnesses and Growth Factors Driving the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition[J]. Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, 2024, 45(6): 719-734. doi: 10.21656/1000-0887.450107

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The Mechanochemical Coupling Mechanism of Matrix Stiffnesses and Growth Factors Driving the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

doi: 10.21656/1000-0887.450107

ZHU Hongyuan^{1, 2
,},
WANG Yushuai^{1, 2},
LIN Min^{1, 2
,
,}

1.
The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P.R.China
2.
Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P.R.China

Received Date: 2024-04-19
Rev Recd Date: 2024-05-06
Publish Date: 2024-06-01

Abstract

Abstract

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical step in physiological and pathological processes such as the embryonic development, the wound healing, and the cancer progression, wherein cells transition from a tightly adherent epithelial state to a dispersed mesenchymal state. An EMT core circuit model driven by the synergistic regulation of matrix stiffnesses and growth factors was proposed. The results show that, during the EMT, the matrix stiffnesses and growth factors collaboratively regulate the expression of the E/N-cadherin, a typical cell-cell adhesion molecule, by modulating the EMT-activating transcription factors, thus influencing the progression and reversibility of the EMT. The model elucidates the mechanism of synergistic interactions between mechanical and chemical factors on cell-cell adhesion during the EMT, laying a theoretical foundation for understanding the occurrence, development mechanisms, and preventive strategies against diseases such as cancer.
- mechanical modeling,
- mechanochemical coupling,
- epithelial-mesenchymal transition,
- cell-cell adhesion

(Contributed by LIN Min, M. AMM Editorial Board)

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References(49)

References

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