Does chondrocyte dedifferentiation increase cell stiffness by strengthening membrane-actin adhesion?
This study demonstrates that chondrocyte dedifferentiation in monolayer strengthens membrane-actin cortex adhesion associated with increased F-actin organisation and up-regulation of ERM protein expression. Thus dedifferentiated cells have reduced susceptibility to bleb formation which increases cell modulus and may also regulate other fundamental aspects of cell function such as mechanotransduction and migration.
Our results suggest that targeting the molecular connections established between SHH-Gli1 signaling and EMT could provide effective therapies for PC.