Ultrasound-mediated mechanical forces activate selective tumor cell apoptosis.

Recent studies show that tumor cells undergo apoptosis after mechanical stretching, which promotes normal cell growth. Since ultrasound can produce similar sub-cellular mechanical stresses on the nanoscale, here we test the effect of ultrasound-mediated mechanical forces on tumors and normal cell survival. Surprisingly, tumor cells undergo apoptosis through a calpain-dependent mitochondrial pathway that relies upon calcium entry through the mechanosensitive Piezo1 channels.

Viscoelastic substrate decouples cellular traction force from other related phenotypes.

Survival and maintenance of normal physiological functions depends on continuous interaction of cells with its microenvironment. Cells sense the mechanical properties of underlying substrate by applying force and modulate their behaviour in response to the resistance offered by the substrate. Most of the studies addressing cell-substrate mechanical interactions have been carried out using elastic substrates.