Quantification of topological features in cell meshes to explore E-cadherin dysfunction.

摘要: In cancer, defective E-cadherin leads to cell detachment, migration and metastization. Further, alterations mediated by dysfunction affect topology tissue organization. Herein, we propose a novel quantitative approach, based on microscopy images, analyse abnormal cellular distribution patterns. We generated undirected graphs composed sets of triangles which accurately reproduce positioning structural organization within each image. Network analysis was developed exploring triangle geometric features, namely area, edges length formed angles, as well their variance, when compared with the respective equilateral triangles. synthetic networks, mimicking diversity cell-cell interaction patterns, evaluated applicability selected metrics study topological features. Cells expressing wild-type cancer-related mutants were used validate our strategy. Specifically, A634V, R749W P799R cancer-causing present more disorganized spatial cells. Moreover, exhibited higher angle distortions cytoskeletal organization, suggesting formation very dynamic plastic interactions. Hence, network diagrams is an effective tool quantify changes in interactions and, importantly, it can be applied myriad processes, morphogenesis cancer.