Cells as active particles in asymmetric potentials: motility under external gradients

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Cell migration is vital for development and disease.
• The roles of mechanical constraints and chemical gradients in directing cell movement are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how the cell nucleus influences migration direction through mechanical cues.
• To explore the interplay between topographical guidance and biochemical gradients in controlling cell movement.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a microfabricated topographical ratchet to apply mechanical constraints.
• Combined topographical cues with a biochemical gradient of fibronectin adhesion.
• Developed a quantitative model of cell trajectory as fluctuating particles in a potential.

Main Results:

• The cell nucleus dictates migration direction via mechanical environmental guidance.
• Topographical cues and fibronectin gradients can compete or cooperate to direct cell movement.
• The cell nucleus strengthens the trapping potential, while protrusions biased by adhesion gradients add directional bias.

Conclusions:

• The cell nucleus plays a key role in mechanical guidance of cell migration.
• External physical and chemical cues interact to precisely control cell directionality.
• A biophysical model accurately describes cell movement under competing directional cues.