The effects of cancer progression on the viscoelasticity of ovarian cell cytoskeleton structures

Alterations in the biomechanical properties and cytoskeletal organization of cancer cells in addition to genetic changes have been correlated with their aggressive phenotype. In this study, we investigated changes in the viscoelasticity of mouse ovarian surface epithelial (MOSE) cells, a mouse model for progressive ovarian cancer. We demonstrate that the elasticity of late-stage MOSE cells (0.549 +/- 0.281 kPa) were significantly less than that of their early-stage counterparts (1.097 +/- 0.632 kPa). Apparent cell viscosity also decreased significantly from early (144.7 +/- 102.4 Pa-s) to late stage (50.74 +/- 29.72 Pa-s). This indicates that ovarian cells are stiffer and more viscous when they are benign. The increase in cell deformability directly correlates with the progression of a transformed phenotype from a nontumorigenic, benign cell to a tumorigenic, malignant one. The decrease in the level of actin in the cytoskeleton and its organization is directly associated with the changes in cell biomechanical property. From the Clinical Editor: The authors have investigated changes in the viscoelasticity of mouse ovarian surface epithelial (MOSE) cells and demonstrated that ovarian cells are stiffer and more viscous when they are benign. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.