Abstract

Cell competition is a tissue surveillance mechanism to eliminate unwanted cells and as such is indispensable in development, infection pathology and tumorigenesis. Although different biochemical mechanisms are proposed, the role of mechanical forces in determining fitness in competing cells remains unclear. In this talk, I will present ongoing work showing that mechanical cell competition is regulated by relative force transmission capabilities between the competing cells, exclusively favoring cells with stronger intercellular adhesion. Heterogeneities in cell mechanics evoke increased mechanical activity at tissue interfaces. There, large stress fluctuations emerge, which result in upward forces leading to cell elimination. Winning cells resist elimination through relatively higher intercellular adhesion. We demonstrate a conserved mechanism in culture cells and in highly invasive breast tumors, suggesting broad important implications for maintaining tissue boundaries and cell invasion pathology.