Extracellular Matrix Physical Properties Regulate Cancer Cell Morphological Transitions in 3D Hydrogel Microtissues
Ayda Pourmostafa, Gabrielle Uskach, Mohammad Jafari, Elvan Dogan, Swaprakash Yogeshwaran, Teresa L. Wood, Sobhan Ghaeini-Hesaroeiye, Lin Han B, Farid Alisafaei, Amir Kamal Miri
This study shows that ECM physical properties, not chemistry, determine cancer cell morphology in 3D hydrogels, with cells adopting elongated or clustered states based on matrix stiffness.
Acta Biomaterialia · Dec 4, 2025Peer-reviewedBiophysics