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11:43
Concentric Gel System to Study the Biophysical Role of Matrix Microenvironment on 3D Cell Migration
Published on: April 3, 2015
Exploring the control circuit of cell migration by mathematical modeling.
Javier Satulovsky1, Roger Lui, Yu-li Wang
1Department of Physiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA.
Biophysical Journal
|January 18, 2008
Summary
A new mathematical model explains animal cell migration using local stimulation and global inhibition. This model accurately predicts cell behavior and reveals how microtubule disruption alters cell shape and movement.
Area of Science:
- Computational Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cell migration is crucial for development and disease.
- Mechanochemical signaling coordinates cell movement.
- The local-stimulation-global-inhibition model is proposed for cell migration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a mathematical model for cell migration.
- To investigate the local-stimulation-global-inhibition mechanism.
- To understand the role of microtubules in cell migration.
Main Methods:
- Developed a top-down, rule-based mathematical model.
- Modeled cells as a shape machine with protrusion/retraction.
- Used an optimization algorithm to identify model parameters.
Main Results:
- The model successfully explains Dictyostelium behavior under various conditions.
- Identified microtubule regulation of signal decay and global inhibition.
- Demonstrated parameter changes can transform cell types (amoeboid, keratocyte, neuron, fibroblast).
Conclusions:
- A simple local-stimulation-global-inhibition circuit explains diverse cell behaviors.
- Microtubules primarily regulate signal dynamics and inhibition extent.
- The top-down modeling approach can be applied to other complex biological problems.
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