Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
09:55
In vitro Cell Migration and Invasion Assays
Published on: June 1, 2014
Heterotypic intercellular adhesion tunes efficiency of cell-on-cell migration
Chandrashekar Kuyyamudi1,2, Suhrid Ghosh1,2, Cassandra G Extavour1,2,3
1Department of Organismic and Organismic Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138.
Summary
Cell migration across epithelial barriers is optimized by heterotypic adhesion. Our study reveals an ideal adhesion level for efficient cell movement, supported by Drosophila germ cell experiments.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cell migration across epithelial barriers is crucial for development, immunity, and disease.
- Understanding the forces governing cell movement, like adhesion, is key.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how heterotypic adhesion between migrating cells and epithelial substrate cells influences transepithelial migration.
- To identify an optimal adhesion regime for efficient cell migration.
Main Methods:
- Developed an in silico model based on Drosophila primordial germ cell migration.
- Utilized computational modeling and in vivo experiments with Drosophila.
Main Results:
- Heterotypic adhesion non-monotonically modulates migration efficiency, indicating an optimal adhesion level.
- Overexpression of E-cadherin in Drosophila germ cells accelerated their migration across the midgut epithelium.
Conclusions:
- Heterotypic adhesion plays a critical, non-monotonic role in transepithelial migration.
- The findings provide a framework for understanding cell migration in various biological contexts.
- The study offers experimentally testable predictions for future research.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Cell Migration
Cell migration is a process by which the cells move from one location to another, playing an essential role in embryological development, repair and regeneration, immune response, and metastasis. Cells migrate in response to chemical or mechanical signals generated by specific organs or tissues. The overall mechanism includes three steps - polarization, protrusion, and release. Polarization involves the formation of a distinct cell front and rear, which determines the direction of movement.
01:09Cell Migration
Cell migration, the process by which cells move from one location to another, is essential for the proper development and viability of organisms throughout their life. When cells are not able to migrate properly to their ordained locations, various disorders may occur. For example, disruption in cell migration causes chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
01:17Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Some...
01:20Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...
01:20Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...
01:32Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration
A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker proteins that...