Matrix stiffness mechanically conditions EMT and migratory behavior of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Tumors are composed of heterogeneous phenotypes, each having different sensitivities to the microenvironment. One microenvironment characteristic - matrix stiffness - helps to regulate malignant transformation and invasion in mammary tumors, but its influence on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is unclear. We observed that, on stiff matrices, a highly invasive OSCC cell line (SCC25) comprising a low E-cad to N-cad ratio (Inv(H)/E:N-L; SCC25) had increased migration velocity and decreased adhesion strength compared to a less invasive OSCC cell line (Cal27) with high E-cad to N-cad ratio (Inv(L)/E:N-H; Cal27). However, Inv(L)/E:N-H cells acquire a mesenchymal signature and begin to migrate faster when exposed to prolonged time on a stiff niche, suggesting that cells can be mechanically conditioned. Owing to increased focal adhesion assembly, Inv(L)/E:N-H cells migrated faster, which could be reduced when increasing integrin affinity with high divalent cation concentrations. Mirroring these data in human patients, we observed that collagen organization, an indicator of matrix stiffness, was increased with advanced disease and correlated with early recurrence. Consistent with epithelial tumors, our data suggest that OSCC cells are mechanically sensitive and that their contribution to tumor progression is mediated in part by this sensitivity. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.