Collective Mesoderm and Endoderm Cell Migration during Vertebrate Gastrulation

Collective migration is a key mechanism during embryonic development, particularly during gastrulation when the basic three-dimensional body plan is established. During this critical phase, mesoderm and endoderm tissues internalize from the surface to form the embryo's inner structures through species-specific processes. This internalization involves extensive collective migration of large cohorts of mesenchymal cells along characteristic routes inside the embryo. Despite decades of research, the mechanisms that control and guide the movement of these cells to their destinations remain largely unresolved. Understanding these complex interactions remains a central challenge in developmental biology. This review examines complementary insights obtained through the study of multiple vertebrate model systems-frogs, fish, chick, mouse-as well as embryonic stem cell-derived gastruloids. The evidence points to key roles for chemotactic movement and guidance mechanisms operating in concert with dynamic changes in cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion. Recent studies have increasingly revealed critical roles for cell- and tissue-generated mechanical stresses and mechanosensing in executing and coordinating motion. Furthermore, dynamic feedback between signaling and motion generates emergent properties that enable large-scale coordination of collective migration.