Extracellular matrix interactions provide an escape mechanism for commitment to differentiation in cancer

We report the new role that the interaction of cells with the surrounding extracellular matrix can exert on the differnetiation patterns controlled by the BMP pathway. In cells bearing Apc mutations, modulation of this pathway triggers cells irresponsive to normal differentiation cues which offers a posible therapeutic anchor for anti-cancer therapies. Expression profiles from RNA-seq of Lrig1-high and Lrig1-low cells obtained from mouse colonic tumors and normal epithelium.