Coherent motions in confluent cell monolayer sheets

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biophysics
• Computational Biology

Background:

• Cell migration is vital for embryogenesis, wound healing, immune response, and cancer metastasis.
• Mechanisms of collective cell migration are less understood compared to individual cell motility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a computational model for collective cell migration in epithelial-like monolayers.
• To investigate the role of cell mechanics and individual cell persistent motion in collective behavior.
• To explain coordinated rotational motion in cell assemblies without external chemical signals.

Main Methods:

• Developed a collective motility model integrating cell mechanics and persistent random motions.
• Simulated cell behavior in epithelial-like monolayers on various substrate geometries.
• Analyzed the influence of active forces, polarization fluctuations, and mechanical coupling.

Main Results:

• The model successfully explains coordinated rotational motion in cell monolayers, from pairs to larger assemblies.
• Robust rotation arises from the competition between active persistent forces and random polarization fluctuations.
• Passive mechanical coupling is essential, but active chemical signaling is not required for rotation.
• Substrate geometry dictates motion: collective rotation on circular substrates, linear back-and-forth on narrow ones.

Conclusions:

• Collective cell migration dynamics can be explained by intrinsic cell mechanics and persistent motion.
• The interplay of forces and fluctuations, coupled with substrate geometry, governs emergent migratory patterns.
• This model provides a framework for understanding tissue morphogenesis and disease progression involving cell movement.