When the ECM is subjected to a lower mechanical force of approximately 45 Pa, integrin β1/3 receptors on breast cancer cells are activated through the cytoskeleton/AIRE axis, thereby stimulating the development of stem-like phenotypes and enhancing tumorigenic potential.153 This low-mechanical-stress ECM has also been demonstrated to increase DRP1- and MIEF1/2-dependent mitochondrial fission events in metastatic breast cancer cells, resulting in increased ROS levels within the microenvironment. The gene discussed is MIEF1; the disease is breast carcinoma.