Collective durotaxis along a self-generated mobile stiffness gradient in vivo

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Biophysics
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Directed cell migration is vital for tissue self-organization, wound healing, and cancer invasion.
• While chemotaxis is a common guidance mechanism, cell collectives can also create their own stiffness gradients (collective durotaxis).
• Heterotypic cell-cell interactions at biointerfaces are key drivers of self-generated stiffness gradients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the physical processes underlying tissue self-organization driven by self-generated stiffness gradients.
• To elucidate the interplay between cell signaling, heterotypic cell-cell adhesion, and collective cell migration.
• To model collective durotaxis using neural crest cell migration in Xenopus embryos.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Xenopus embryos as a model system.
• Focused on the biointerface between ectodermal placode and mesoderm subpopulations.
• Analyzed the dynamics along the biointerface and their effect on subpopulation stiffness.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated that cell collectives can generate stiffness gradients influencing migration direction.
• Highlighted the role of heterotypic cell-cell interactions at biointerfaces.
• Showcased the importance of physical processes in tissue self-organization.

Conclusions:

• The dynamics at the biointerface between adjacent cell subpopulations significantly impact subpopulation stiffness.
• Understanding these physical processes is crucial for comprehending directed cell migration and tissue morphogenesis.
• This study provides insights into the less-developed physical mechanisms governing cell collective behavior.