Plasticity of cell migration resulting from mechanochemical coupling

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biophysics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Eukaryotic cells exhibit diverse migration modes, including amoeboid and keratocyte-like, crucial for biological processes.
• The mechanisms governing transitions between these cell migration modes are not fully understood.
• Signaling waves are hypothesized to play a key role in regulating cell motility transitions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a computational model explaining the emergence of different eukaryotic cell migration modes.
• To investigate the interplay between biochemical signaling waves, cell mechanics, and cell morphology in dictating migration patterns.
• To experimentally validate model predictions using Dictyostelium discoideum cells.

Main Methods:

• A two-component biochemical reaction-diffusion model based on relaxation oscillators was developed.
• The biochemical model was coupled with a mechanical model for cell deformations.
• Experiments involved systematically reducing the protrusive force of the actin network in Dictyostelium discoideum cells.

Main Results:

• The integrated model successfully reproduced different cell migration modes, including amoeboid and keratocyte-like behaviors.
• Transitions between migration modes were shown to arise from the interaction of biochemical traveling waves with cell mechanics and morphology.
• Experimental reduction of actin protrusive force confirmed the model's predictions regarding cell motility.

Conclusions:

• Coupling of signaling events with cell mechanics and morphology is critical for regulating cell migration.
• The developed model provides a framework for understanding diverse cell motility systems.
• Biochemical traveling waves and their interaction with cellular structures govern cell migration strategies.