Mechanical Pressure Arrests the Growth of Tumor Spheroids

Abstract

Often tumors have to push their surroundings in order to grow. Thus, during their development, tumors must be able to both exert and sustain mechanical stresses. We study quantitatively the effect of an applied mechanical stress on the long-term growth of a spherical cell aggregate. Our results indicate the possibility to modulate tumor growth depending on the applied pressure. Moreover, we observe that a stress between 500 and 5000 Pa drastically reduces growth by inhibition of cell proliferation mainly in the core of the spheroid, while it sligthly affect the division at the perifery.FIGURE: Three cryosections of a spheroid grown for 2 days without stress, with a stress of 1 kPa or with a stress of 5 kPa. Dividing cells are stained incyan (Antibody against Ki67).View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide