: The resulting stiffened tissue triggers non-canonical activation of the transcription factor GLI2 in epithelial cells.
: Injured epithelial cells release Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) ligands.
: This signaling activates fibroblasts, which increase tissue stiffness by producing collagen.
: This "chemo-mechanical" loop promotes cell proliferation, migration, and the transition of normal cells into invasive cancer cells. Potential Video Content
: Time-lapse footage of cancer cells moving across substrates of varying stiffness.
Based on the full text of the study, supplemental videos (often named with similar codes) typically demonstrate:
: Visual evidence of cell mobility and invasiveness.
: Observations of "leader cells" responding to GLI2 inhibition.
