RNAseq analysis of mouse Eph4 mammary epithelial cells to determine their response to altered extracellular matrix stiffness

Almost all cells respond to the mechanical stiffness of their microenvironment through alter gene expression. Mammary epithelial cells respond to the mechanics of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in a way that can alter their behaviour and be pro-oncogenic. How increased ECM stiffness promotes transformation is unclear, but it can increase the incidence of DNA damage. This experiment was undertaken to identify changes in gene expression in non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial cells (murine Eph4) in response to different ECM stiffness. Epg4 cells were grown in either a soft or stiff 3D Matrigel-Alginate hydrogel, or on soft and stiff 2D polyacrylamide hydrogel. RNAseq was undertaken to identify gene expression changes associated with both stiffness and 2D vs. 3D culture conditions.