Speaker
Description
Cell–cell adhesion is crucial for tissue organization and collective migration. Cells also adhere to the extracellular matrix (ECM) that surrounds them. Both cell-cell \cite{manibog_resolving_2014} and cell-ECM adhesions \cite{kong2009demonstration} can be catch-bonds, which strengthen under increasing force. Although recent mathematical studies \cite{rens_cell_2020} have explored how models of catch bonds in cell–ECM interactions \cite{novikova_contractile_2013} influence cell dynamics, the effects of catch‑bond behavior of cell–cell adhesions remains understudied.
Here, I extend the Cellular Potts Model \cite{GlazierGraner1992} with catch‑bond dynamics for cell–cell and cell–ECM adhesions. I report three key findings:
1) The model predicts the relative adhesion binding rates required for cells to cluster rather than disperse.
2) Decreasing either contractility or adhesion binding rates can reverse engulfment patterns of two cell types.
3) In a specific parameter regime, the model generates short chain‑like invasive protrusions into the ECM, indicative of enhanced invasive potential arising purely from catch‑bond mechanics.
In summary, incorporating catch–slip bond dynamics into a Cellular Potts Model reveals complex relationships between adhesion, cell forces, and collective cell behaviors. This framework offers mechanistic explanations for phenomena such as unexpected cell-sorting outcomes that cannot be resolved by classical differential adhesion models.
Bibliography
@article{novikova_contractile_2013,
title = {Contractile {Fibers} {And} {Catch}-bond {Clusters}: {A} {Biological} {Force} {Sensor}?},
volume = {105},
number = {6},
journal = {Biophys. J.},
author = {Novikova, Elizaveta A and Storm, Cornelis},
year = {2013},
pages = {1336--1345},
}
@article{rens_cell_2020,
title = {Cell {Shape} and {Durotaxis} {Explained} from {Cell}-{Extracellular} {Matrix} {Forces} and {Focal} {Adhesion} {Dynamics}},
volume = {23},
issn = {25890042},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2589004220306805},
doi = {10.1016/j.isci.2020.101488},
abstract = {Many cells are small and rounded on soft extracellular matrices (ECM), elongated on stiffer ECMs, and flattened on hard ECMs. Cells also migrate up stiffness gradients (durotaxis). Using a hybrid cellular Potts and finite-element model extended with ODE-based models of focal adhesion (FA) turnover, we show that the full range of cell shape and durotaxis can be explained in unison from dynamics of FAs, in contrast to previous mathematical models. In our 2D cell-shape model, FAs grow due to cell traction forces. Forces develop faster on stiff ECMs, causing FAs to stabilize and, consequently, cells to spread on stiff ECMs. If ECM stress further stabilizes FAs, cells elongate on substrates of intermediate stiffness. We show that durotaxis follows from the same set of assumptions. Our model contributes to the understanding of the basic responses of cells to ECM stiffness, paving the way for future modeling of more complex cell-ECM interactions.},
language = {en},
number = {9},
urldate = {2026-02-27},
journal = {iScience},
author = {Rens, Elisabeth G. and Merks, Roeland M.H.},
month = sep,
year = {2020},
pages = {101488},
file = {PDF:/home/lrens/Zotero/storage/VX6Q86R8/Rens and Merks - 2020 - Cell Shape and Durotaxis Explained from Cell-Extracellular Matrix Forces and Focal Adhesion Dynamics.pdf:application/pdf},
}
@article{manibog_resolving_2014,
title = {Resolving the molecular mechanism of cadherin catch bond formation},
volume = {5},
issn = {2041-1723},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms4941},
doi = {10.1038/ncomms4941},
language = {en},
number = {1},
urldate = {2026-02-27},
journal = {Nature Communications},
author = {Manibog, Kristine and Li, Hui and Rakshit, Sabyasachi and Sivasankar, Sanjeevi},
month = jun,
year = {2014},
pages = {3941},
file = {PDF:/home/lrens/Zotero/storage/PIX8LNPB/Manibog et al. - 2014 - Resolving the molecular mechanism of cadherin catch bond formation.pdf:application/pdf},
}
@article{kong2009demonstration,
title={Demonstration of catch bonds between an integrin and its ligand},
author={Kong, Fang and Garc{\'\i}a, Andr{\'e}s J and Mould, A Paul and Humphries, Martin J and Zhu, Cheng},
journal={Journal of Cell Biology},
volume={185},
number={7},
pages={1275--1284},
year={2009},
publisher={The Rockefeller University Press}
}
@article{GlazierGraner1992,
title = {Simulation of biological cell sorting using a two-dimensional extended Potts model},
author = {Graner, Fran\ifmmode \mbox{\c{c}}\else \c{c}\fi{}ois and Glazier, James A.},
journal = {Phys. Rev. Lett.},
volume = {69},
issue = {13},
pages = {2013--2016},
numpages = {0},
year = {1992},
month = {Sep},
publisher = {American Physical Society},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevLett.69.2013},
url = {https://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.69.2013}
}
