Mechanism of reprogramming of colorectal cancer cells into a fetal-like state during metastasis

During the development of metastasis, colorectal cancer (CRC) cells show high plasticity and transition between different cellular states. 

The researchers show that mechanical interactions with the stromal component collagen I trigger reprogramming of CRC into a fetal-like state, through mechanosensitive integrins (α2β1) and TRPV4 calcium channels.

CRC cells infiltrating the interstitial stroma show upregulation of this fetal-like transcriptional program, to initiate metastasis formation. 

These findings implicate mechanical forces in the regulation of stem cell plasticity during the metastatic cascade of colorectal cancer.

https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(25)01079-4

https://sciencemission.com/cancer-cells-into-a-fetal-like-state