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Collective cell migration: guidance principles and hierarchies
Anna Haeger1, Katarina Wolf1, Mirjam M Zegers1
1Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Cell Biology, Post 283, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Trends in Cell Biology
|July 4, 2015
Summary
Collective cell migration relies on coordinated cell behavior and sensing external cues for directed movement. This process integrates various guidance mechanisms for tissue development and disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Collective cell migration is fundamental to development and disease.
- It involves complex intercellular coordination and response to environmental cues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms guiding collective cell migration.
- To explore how cells integrate diverse signals for directed movement.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cell migration.
- Analysis of mechanochemical and electrical signaling pathways.
- Integration of guidance cue sensing and cellular responses.
Main Results:
- Collective cell migration is driven by polarization, mechanocoupling, and cytoskeletal dynamics.
- Guidance involves chemotaxis, haptotaxis, durotaxis, and mechanosensing.
- Electrotaxis and passive drift are relevant in specific contexts.
- Cells integrate multiple cues for adaptive tissue shaping.
Conclusions:
- Collective cell migration is a highly integrated process crucial for morphogenesis and cancer invasion.
- Understanding these guidance principles is key to controlling tissue behavior.
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