Mechanical Regulation of Mitochondria Function and Glycolysis in Liver Cancer Cells

Abstract

The stiffness of the cellular microenvironment represents a crucial mechanical cue modulating cellular function and behaviour via cytoskeletal remodelling and actomyosin contractility. These processes are known to be energetically dependant. However, there is a knowledge gap in understanding how cells adapt their metabolic activity to variable stiffness of the microenvironment. Concerning liver cancer cells, knowledge in current literature, on how the stiffness of microenvironment modulates key mitochondria functions and whether it is involved in glycolysis regulation, is basically lacking. Thus, we aim to gain deep knowledge about molecular biophysical mechanisms of modulation of mitochondria activity and glycolysis triggered by mechanical forces generated by the cellular microenvironment in liver cancer cell lines. Studying how cellular microenvironment affects cancer cell functionality will provide impactful insights into the mechanisms driving cancer progression