“There is compelling evidence to argue that cells can sense and respond to the stiffness of their ECM and that they transmit these cues to the nucleus to alter their shape and modify their chromatin accessibility either directly or indirectly by modulating cellular metabolism. What has yet to be determined is whether these tension-induced changes in chromatin modification and chromosomal localization are accompanied by specific differences in gene expression and whether altering the metabolic state of the cell could modify these phenotypes. Moreover, whether similar effect occur in fibrotic, stiffened tumor tissues and if this influences gene expression to drive a tumor-like behavior in the cells and tissue remain unclear.” TensionMetabolismEpigeneticsChromatin Author:R. Oria, D. Thakar, and V. M. Weaver