Interaction between lung cancer cell and myofibroblast influenced by cyclic tensile strain

Using a cell culture chip with a deformable substrate driven by a hydraulic force, we investigated the motility of cancer cells affected by myofibroblasts undergoing cyclic tensile strain (CTS). CTS reduced both the expression of α-smooth muscle actin in the myofibroblast and the ability of the myofibroblast to accelerate cancer cell migration. However, with the treatment of a pro-inflammatory factor interleukin-1β on the myofibroblasts, the effects of CTS on the myofibroblast were diminished. This result suggests an antagonism between mechanical and chemical stimulations on mediating cancer metastasis by the stromal myofibroblast. Lung myofibroblasts (MFs) induced by TGF-β1 have a high ability to accelerate cancer cell migration; cyclic tensile strain and a pro-inflammatory factor IL-1β exhibit antagonistic effects on this migration enhancing ability of the MF.