Geometry of disordered porous environments regulates cell migration.

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Cell Biology
• Computational Biology

Background:

• Cell migration is crucial for development and health, influenced by external factors like ECM properties.
• The impact of the extracellular matrix's (ECM) porous structure on cell migration remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how the porous structure of the ECM influences cell migration dynamics.
• To establish a framework connecting tissue microstructure geometry to cell motility and distribution.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 3D cellular Potts model to simulate cell movement with amoeboid-like dynamics.
• Employed computational modeling and theoretical analysis to link migration patterns to microstructural geometry.

Main Results:

• Identified distinct transient motility regimes in porous environments, characterized by cell 'hopping' between 'traps'.
• Demonstrated that spatial variations in porosity guide cell distribution towards regions of lower porosity (porotaxis).
• Linked large-scale transport properties and motility regimes to geometrical features of the microstructure.

Conclusions:

• ECM porosity is a key parameter controlling cell migration and distribution.
• The study provides a conceptual framework to correlate cell motility with tissue structures, aiding understanding of processes like inflammation and cancer.