Myeloid leukemia subtype-dependent sensitivity to matrix mechanics

The bone marrow (BM) milieu exhibits a range of micro-elasticity, which provides resident cells with important biomechanical cues to elicit biological responses. Myeloid leukemia is a cancer of bone marrow and blood frequently associated with profound alterations in BM microenvironment by fibrosis. The mechanical changes may result from pathology, but whether they conversely play a role in causing the progression remains unclear. Here we test the hypothesis that myeloid leukemic cell proliferation is regulated by matrix stiffness. We demonstrate that myeloid leukemia subtypes defined by different genetic mutations show distinct cell proliferation profiles in response to matrix mechanics.