Celine Denais

TL;DR: Investigation of mammalian tumor cell migration in confining microenvironments in vitro and in vivo indicates that cell migration incurs substantial physical stress on the NE and its content and requires efficient NE and DNA damage repair for cell survival.

TL;DR: Nuclear deformability is determined as a critical factor in the cells’ ability to pass through constrictions smaller than the size of the nucleus during active migration and passive perfusion, suggesting a novel biophysical mechanism by which changes in nuclear structure and composition may promote cancer cell invasion and metastasis.

TL;DR: An overview of the molecular components that govern the mechanical properties of the nucleus are presented, and how changes in nuclear structure and composition observed in many cancers can modulate nuclear mechanics and promote metastatic processes are discussed.

TL;DR: The design of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic device composed of channels with precisely-defined constrictions mimicking physiological environments that enable high resolution imaging of live and fixed cells is described, revealing distinct phases of nuclear translocation through the constriction, buckling of the nuclear lamina, and severe intranuclear strain.

TL;DR: Non-muscle myosin IIB plays a major role in applying force on the nucleus to facilitate nuclear translocation through tight spaces during 3D invasive migration, while non-muscles in the nucleus are critical for generating force during active protrusion.