Multiscale rheology of glioma cells

Cells tend to soften during cancer progression, suggesting that mechanical phenotyping could be used as a diagnostic or prognostic method. Here we investigate the cell mechanics of gliomas, brain tumors originate from glial cells progenitors. Using two microrheology techniques, single-cell parallel plates rheometer probe whole-cell and optical tweezers intracellular rheology, show discriminates human glioma different grades. When probed globally, grade IV glioblastoma are softer than III astrocytoma cells, while they surprisingly stiffer at level. We explain this difference between global local behaviours by changes in composition spatial organization cytoskeleton, nuclear mechanics. Our study highlights need combine rheology techniques for potential methods based on mechanophenotyping.