Capillary bifurcations mechanically dissociate clusters of tumor cells

Clicks: 45
ID: 313421
2026
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Abstract
Abstract Circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters are major drivers of cancer metastasis, possessing higher metastatic potential than equal numbers of single CTCs. While their ability to traverse linear capillary segments has been studied, their transit behaviors in capillary bifurcations remain poorly understood. We utilized live-cell imaging and microfluidic devices that replicate the diverse geometries of human capillary bifurcations to investigate the transit dynamics of breast cancer clusters. We demonstrate that clusters dissociate into smaller clusters and single cells and that this phenomenon is strongly influenced by geometric features of equal and small-sized daughter channels in capillary bifurcations. Moreover, inhibition of actin polymerization increases both the frequencies of cluster dissociation and cell lysis during cluster transit in capillary bifurcations. Overall, our findings suggest that capillary biomechanics and actin filament polymerization affect the integrity of circulating tumor cell clusters.
Reference Key
openalex_W7161127424 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Angelos Vrynas, Aisher Chen, G. Kontaxi, Sam H. Au
Journal PNAS nexus
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/pnasnexus/pgag166
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgag166
Keywords Keywords not found

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