The Biomechanical Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts In Tumor-Stroma Reciprocity

<p>Mechanical stimuli have been found to influence tumor cell proliferation and metastasis with increased stiffening of the extracellular matrix being a hallmark of tumorigenesis. This thesis examines the role of the extracellular environment surrounding tumors, the tumor stroma, and investigates what effects the components within the stroma have on tumorigenesis. In addition, which components of the extracellular matrix contribute to that stiffening and how those components contribute to tumorigenesis will also be discussed. The cancer-associated fibroblast and the tumor-associated macrophage intimately influence the homeostasis between the tumor and extracellular matrix and can affect the survival and proliferation of tumor cells. This review will address how mechanical alterations in the reactive stroma contribute to tumorigenesis through their effects on cancer-associated fibroblasts. These cells sense and respond to mechanical changes in the extracellular environment as tumorigenesis occurs, and how they respond can affect tumor development.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Campus Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biomedical Science

Year

2012

Author dc:creator

• Massengill, Nathan Wasson

Contributors dc:contributor

• Edie Goldsmith

• Biomedical
• Chemicals and Drugs
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Biomechanics
• Cancer
• Fibroblast
• reciprocity
• stroma

Statement dc:rights

• © 2012, Nathan Wasson Massengill

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/2108

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarcommons.sc.edu:etd-3109