Control of cell migration direction by inducing cell shape asymmetry with patterned topography

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biophysics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Cell migration is crucial for biological processes.
• Substrate topography influences cell behavior.
• Quantifying asymmetry's effect on cell migration is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how patterned substrates with varying rotational asymmetry affect cell shape and migration.
• To correlate substrate asymmetry with cell motility and directionality.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of three patterned substrates: Squares, Grating, and Arcs, with differing rotational asymmetry.
• Time-lapse imaging of mouse osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) cultured on these patterns.
• Systematic comparison of cell motility, directionality, and shape.

Main Results:

• Cell motility increased with decreasing pattern symmetry: Arcs > Grating > Squares.
• Cells on the Arcs pattern exhibited highest velocity and directional persistence.
• Asymmetrical cell spreading and larger cytoplasmic protrusions were observed on the Arcs pattern, correlating with migration direction and speed.

Conclusions:

• Substrate topographical asymmetry directly influences cell migration speed and direction.
• Enhanced imbalance between leading and trailing cell fronts increases migration efficiency.
• Geometric principles of substrate design can guide and sort cells.