| Abstract: |
| Gliomas are malignant tumors that are commonly observed in primary brain cancer. Glioma cells migrate through a dense network of normal cells in microenvironment and spread long distances within brain. In this poster we present a two-dimensional hybrid model in which a glioma cell is surrounded by normal cells and its migration is controlled by cell-mechanical components in the harsh microenvironment via the regulation of myosin II in response to chemoattractants. Our simulations reveal that the myosin II plays a key role in deformation of the cell nucleus as the glioma cell passes through the narrow intercellular space smaller than its nuclear diameter. In addition, our results suggest that in the presence of myosin II the strong signal of chemoattractants may retract invasive glioma cells back to the resection site so that they can be removed completely. This study sheds lights on the understanding of glioma infiltration through the narrow intercellular spaces and a potential approach for the development of anti-cancer invasion strategies. |
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