Speaker
Description
Cell migration is involved in many developmental process such as embryogenesis, morphogenesis, angiogenesis or cancer invasion and critically depends on the mechanical properties of the extra-cellular matrix (ECM). Indeed, in the mesenchymal migration mode, cells tend to follow ECM stiffness gradient. This durotaxis (\cite{Durotaxis}) is explained by the ability of the cell to probe its environment thanks to mechano-sensors (\cite{MechanoSensing}) (filopodia). Moreover, the migration process relies on the ability of the cell to self propel through a combination of events comprising cell anchoring to the ECM through maturation of focal adhesions and contractions of the actin cytoskeleton to generate a traction force strong enough to translocate the cell nucleus. The cell-ECM interactions during cell migration is thus a bidirectionnal process : the cell traction force on the matrix generate ECM deformation that in return can be perceived by neighbouring cells through mechano-sensors. This leads to the question of the existence and importance of inter-cellular communication through matrix deformation to favour cell-cell encouter in processes such as tumoral angiogenesis. In this talk a single cell motility model (\cite{SingleCellModel}) mechanically coupled to a continuous deformable substrate will be presented. The model is designed to incorporate minimal a priori assumptions. In that sense, no mechanism of cell polarization nor stiffness dependent traction force is implemented. The main objective is to evaluate if those behaviours can emerge solely from cell-ECM mechanical interactions and probing. Particular attention will be given on the range and magnitude of cell induced ECM deformations that the model can reproduce. Reciprocally the influence of imposed ECM deformations on the migratory patterns will be considered and compared to those obtained on a rigid substrate. In conclusion the effective impact of the mechanical cues on the cell encounter will be assessed.
Bibliography
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volume = {79},
copyright = {https://www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/},
issn = {00063495},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0006349500762795},
doi = {10.1016/S0006-3495(00)76279-5},
language = {en},
number = {1},
urldate = {2026-03-20},
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}
@misc{SingleCellModel,
title = {Interplay between biomechanics and morphology drives cell migration features},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05299667},
author = {Louviaux, Nicolas and Cheddadi, Ibrahim and Verdier, Claude and Stéphanou, Angélique and Chauvière, Arnaud},
month = oct,
year = {2025},
}
@article{MechanoSensing,
title = {Force {Fluctuations} within {Focal} {Adhesions} {Mediate} {ECM}-{Rigidity} {Sensing} to {Guide} {Directed} {Cell} {Migration}},
volume = {151},
issn = {00928674},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0092867412014195},
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language = {en},
number = {7},
urldate = {2026-03-20},
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}
