Fig. 4
From: Mechanical forces in the tumor microenvironment: roles, pathways, and therapeutic approaches
Physical Properties and the Tumor Immune Microenvironment. Increased macrophage infiltration occurs near tumor tissues, where macrophage-secreted TGF-β promotes collagen production, thereby enhancing matrix stiffness. Within this microenvironment, miR-214, in response to shear stress, facilitates macrophage M1 polarization. Shear stress also activates DNMT1, which further promotes M1 polarization. M1-polarized macrophages then secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, contributing to further tumor progression and deterioration