Cell Sorting in an Active Nematic Vertex Model

Area of Science:

• Cell biology
• Soft matter physics
• Biophysics

Background:

• Cellular collectives exhibit complex behaviors like phase separation.
• Active nematic stresses play a crucial role in tissue dynamics.
• Understanding cell sorting mechanisms is vital for developmental biology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of extensile and contractile cell activities in phase separation.
• To elucidate the impact of active nematic stresses on cell sorting.
• To model the dynamics of mixed cell populations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a vertex model for cell simulation.
• Incorporated active nematic stresses into the model.
• Analyzed phase separation dynamics and cell sorting extent.

Main Results:

• Observed spontaneous phase separation between extensile and contractile cells.
• Phase separation strengthened monotonically with increased contractile activity.
• Extensile activity showed a nonmonotonic effect, reducing sorting at high magnitudes.
• Identified cell motility and neighbor exchanges as key mechanisms influenced by extensile activity.

Conclusions:

• Active nematic stresses govern cell sorting in mixed populations.
• Contractile activity promotes sorting, while extensile activity can hinder it by inducing motility.
• The interplay between cell contractility and extensibility dictates tissue organization.