Weakening of resistance force by cell-ECM interactions regulate cell migration directionality and pattern formation

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biophysics
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Collective cell migration is crucial for multicellular pattern formation.
• Physical forces from cell-cell interactions and the microenvironment influence cell movement.
• The role of spatio-temporal remodeling of the cellular microenvironment, specifically the extracellular matrix (ECM), in regulating collective cell migration remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how spatio-temporally remodeled extracellular matrix (ECM) alters resistance forces on cells.
• To understand how ECM modification regulates collective cell migration and pattern formation.
• To determine if artificial microenvironment remodeling can control cell migration directionality and tissue patterning.

Main Methods:

• Utilized microfabrication techniques and optical tweezers.
• Employed mathematical modeling to analyze cellular movement and ECM dynamics.
• Performed experiments involving artificial remodeling of the cellular microenvironment.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated simultaneous construction and breakage of the ECM during cellular movement.
• Showed that ECM modification guides cellular movement directionality.
• Confirmed that artificial microenvironment remodeling controls collective cell migration and 3D branching patterns in lung epithelial cells.

Conclusions:

• Active remodeling of the cellular microenvironment modulates physical forces exerted by the ECM.
• This modulation of physical forces contributes to the directionality of collective cell migration.
• The findings highlight the significance of microenvironment remodeling in pattern formation during development.