Vinculin Force Sensor Detects Tumor-Osteocyte Interactions.

This study utilized a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based molecular tension sensor and live cell imaging to evaluate the effect of osteocytes, a mechanosensitive bone cell, on the migratory behavior of tumor cells. Two cell lines derived from MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were transfected with the vinculin tension sensor to quantitatively evaluate the force in focal adhesions of the tumor cell. Tumor cells treated with MLO-A5 osteocyte-conditioned media (CM) decreased the tensile forces in their focal adhesions and decreased their migratory potential.