: Time-lapse footage of cancer cells moving across substrates of varying stiffness.
: Observations of "leader cells" responding to GLI2 inhibition.
: Injured epithelial cells release Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) ligands.
: Visual evidence of cell mobility and invasiveness.
: This signaling activates fibroblasts, which increase tissue stiffness by producing collagen.
The research, published in journals such as and archived on PMC , explores how tissue stiffness and biochemical signaling work together to drive cancer growth. Key Research Findings