Single-cell tracking reveals super-spreading brain cancer cells with high persistence

• Published in: Biochemistry and biophysics reports Vol. 28; p. 101120
• Main Authors: Nousi, Aimilia, Søgaard, Maria Tangen, Audoin, Mélanie, Jauffred, Liselotte
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: Diffusion models; Glioblastoma; Invasion assay; Single-cell tracking; Single-cell tracking; Diffusion models; Invasion assay; Glioblastoma
• ISSN: 2405-5808; 2405-5808
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2021.101120

Cell migration is a fundamental characteristic of vital processes such as tissue morphogenesis, wound healing and immune cell homing to lymph nodes and inflamed or infected sites. Therefore, various brain defect diseases, chronic inflammatory diseases as well as tumor formation and metastasis are associated with aberrant or absent cell migration. We embedded multicellular brain cancer spheroids in Matrigel™ and utilized single-particle tracking to extract the paths of cells migrating away from the spheroids. We found that – in contrast to local invasion – single cell migration is independent of Matrigel™ concentration and is characterized by high directionality and persistence. Furthermore, we identified a subpopulation of super-spreading cells with >200-fold longer persistence times than the majority of cells. These results highlight yet another aspect of cell heterogeneity in tumors. •Multi-cellular brain cancer spheroids invasion is slowed down by matrix stiffening.•Single-cell invasion is not affected by Matrigel™ concentration.•Single-cells shows high persistence and dependence of matrix organization.•Identification of a distinct sub-population of super-spreaders.