A biophysical analysis to assess X-ray sensitivity of healthy and tumour cells

The mechanobiology is providing novel perspectives in the study of cancer and is contributing to evaluate the cancer responses, from a biophysical point of view, to classical therapeutic approaches- radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Here we have explored the effects of two doses (4 and 8 Gy) of 6 MeV photons on spreading, focal adhesions, migration and mechanical properties of BALB/c 3T3 and their SV40 transformed equivalent, SVT2. Cell biophysical responses to 4 and 8 Gy were analysed and compared with those reported in previous published work when lower doses (1 and 2 Gy) were administered Panzetta et al. (Effects of high energy X-rays on cell morphology and functions. Proc. Book 2017;16:116). We observed that the range of sensitivity to ionising radiations profoundly changes depending on the patho-physiological state of cells. In particular, we found that X-rays induce morphological and functional variations in both cell lines (decreased motility, increased adhesion and increased cytoskeleton stiffness). These changes were slightly dependent on doses in the case of SVT2 cells and may indicate a possible mechanical normalisation in their phenotype. Nevertheless, the responses of BALB/c 3T3 were negligible only for the low dose of 1 Gy and increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner with higher doses. We believe that the characterisation of X-rays effects on the cell mechanobiology could shed new light in the design and customisation of radiotherapy treatments.