Data underlying the manuscript: Invasive cancer cells soften collagen networks and disrupt stress stiffening via volume exclusion, contractility and adhesion

The research investigates how local cell–ECM interactions regulate the global mechanics of collagen networks in a biomimetic tissue model composed of type I fibrillar collagen with embedded cancer cells (volume fractions: 0.4%–20%). Experiments compare the behavior of human dermal fibroblasts and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, which are known to actively remodel collagen networks. Collagen polymerization and network mechanics were characterized using bulk shear rheology. A custom-built rheo-confocal microscope was used to visualize real-time local remodeling of collagen during polymerization. All raw data, processed results, and MATLAB/python scripts for data analysis and figure generation are included.

本研究探究了局部细胞-细胞外基质（extracellular matrix, ECM）相互作用如何调控仿生组织模型中胶原网络的宏观力学行为，该模型由I型原纤维胶原与嵌入的癌细胞构成，癌细胞体积分数范围为0.4%~20%。实验对比了人类皮肤成纤维细胞与MDA-MB-231乳腺癌细胞的行为，这两类细胞均已被证实可主动重塑胶原网络。研究采用体相剪切流变学对胶原聚合过程与网络力学特性进行表征，并使用定制搭建的流变共聚焦显微镜，实现聚合过程中胶原局部重塑行为的实时可视化观测。本数据集包含所有原始数据、处理后结果，以及用于数据分析与图表生成的MATLAB与Python脚本。