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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
10:54
Quantitative Analysis of Cell Edge Dynamics during Cell Spreading
Published on: May 22, 2021
Spreading dynamics and wetting transition of cellular aggregates
Stéphane Douezan1, Karine Guevorkian, Randa Naouar
1Unité Mixte de Recherche 168, and Unité Mixte de Recherche 144, Institut Curie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75248 Paris cedex 05, France.
Summary
Cell aggregate spreading follows a universal law at short times. At long times, aggregates exhibit partial or complete wetting, with cell escape mimicking tumor metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Cell-cell adhesion is crucial for tissue formation and integrity.
- E-cadherin mediates cell-cell adhesion, influencing cell aggregate behavior.
- Understanding cell spreading dynamics is key to tissue engineering and disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spreading dynamics of spheroidal cell aggregates on mixed substrates.
- To elucidate the physical mechanisms governing cell aggregate spreading and wetting phenomena.
- To draw parallels between cell aggregate behavior and pathological processes like cancer metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing optical interferometry to measure aggregate contact area.
- Employing side-view microscopy to determine aggregate profile.
- Tuning E-cadherin expression levels to control cell cohesiveness.
Main Results:
- A universal spreading law was identified for cell aggregates at short timescales, analogous to viscoelastic droplet spreading.
- Long-term spreading revealed partial or complete wetting behaviors.
- Two distinct states of precursor film formation were observed: a cellular monolayer and a 2D gas of escaping cells.
Conclusions:
- Cell aggregate spreading is governed by distinct short-term and long-term dynamics.
- The escape of individual cells from aggregates, forming a 2D gas, is a physically relevant mechanism.
- This cell escape phenomenon shares similarities with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in tumor metastasis.
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