Mechanisms of cell migration in the vertebrate embryo

In vertebrate embryos, many cells are involved in active and passive movements before they regroup into defined tissues. Oriented migration is controlled by different mechanisms, which may include chemotaxis, galvanotaxis, haptotaxis, contact guidance, contact inhibition of movement, and population pressure. A given cell type may utilize different mechanisms in different species and even in the same species when segregating into different lineages. Most of these processes are not yet understood at the molecular level. An even greater difficulty is faced by the molecular embryologist in attempting to unravel the mechanisms governing epithelium-mesenchyme interconversion, which can regulate the initiation and termination of migration. Cells migrating in the extracellular matrix interact directly with fibronectin, although this glycoprotein does not induce the egress of cells from epithelia. Recent studies on the molecular mechanism of intercellular adhesion have led to the identification and characterization of several surface molecules (CAM). Cell surface modulation of such cell adhesion molecules throughout development should contribute to the shaping of the embryo.