Matrix stiffness drives stromal autophagy and promotes formation of a protumorigenic niche

Increased stiffness of solid tissues has long been recognized as a diagnostic feature of several pathologies, most notably malignant diseases. In fact, it is now well established that elevated tissue rigidity enhances disease progression and aggressiveness and is associated with a poor prognosis in patients as documented, for instance, for lung fibrosis or the highly desmoplastic cancer of the pancreas. The underlying mechanisms of the interplay between physical properties and cellular behavior are, however, not very well understood. Here, we have found that switching culture conditions from soft to stiff substrates is sufficient to evoke (macro) autophagy in various fibroblast types. Mechanistically, this is brought about by stiffness-sensing through an Integrin alpha V-focal adhesion kinase module resulting in sequestration and posttranslational stabilization of the metabolic master regulator AMPK alpha at focal adhesions, leading to the subsequent induction of autophagy. Importantly, stiffnessinduced autophagy in stromal cells such as fibroblasts and stellate cells critically supports growth of adjacent cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. This process is Integrin alpha V dependent, opening possibilities for targeting tumor-stroma crosstalk. Our data thus reveal that the mere change in mechanical tissue properties is sufficient to metabolically reprogram stromal cell populations, generating a tumorsupportive metabolic niche.

Automated summary

Increased tissue stiffness can enhance disease progression and support cancer cell growth through promoting stiffness-induced autophagy in stromal cells, mediated by Integrin alpha V signaling pathway. This reveals a potential target for disrupting tumor-stroma crosstalk and manipulating the tumor microenvironment.