Increased Bleb Formation Characterizes Metastatic Cancer Cells

In fact, highly metastatic prostate cancer cells flowing through a microfluidic channel form 27% more plasma membrane blebs than normal cells and have a lower stiffness (about 50%).

Taking advantage of this property, investigators at Texas Tech University (Lubbock, USA) developed an instrument that measured bleb formation as the device forced cell samples through minute channels less than 10 microns wide. Results obtained by this method revealed that highly metastatic prostate cancer cells exhibited more blebbing than did moderately metastatic or normal cells. Of the highly metastatic cells 56% produced blebs, whereas only 29% of normal cells and 38% of moderately metastatic cells did.

Mechanistically, increased blebbing by highly metastatic cells was attributed to low levels of the protein F-actin, which resulted in a reduced number of binding sites for proteins that normally anchor the cell’s plasma membrane to the inner cortex.

“This is a potentially significant finding which may provide simple and inexpensive diagnostic methods for detecting early and advanced cancer, particularly metastatic cancer,” said senior author Dr. Fazle Hussain, professor of mechanical engineering at Texas Tech University.

The fluid biopsy device for detection of highly metastatic prostate cancer cells was described in the May 21, 2019, online edition of the journal Biomicrofluidics.

Related Links:
Texas Tech University