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A minimal physical model captures the shapes of crawling cells

Author

Listed:
  • E. Tjhung

    (SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, JCMB Kings Buildings)

  • A. Tiribocchi

    (SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, JCMB Kings Buildings)

  • D. Marenduzzo

    (SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, JCMB Kings Buildings)

  • M. E. Cates

    (SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, JCMB Kings Buildings)

Abstract

Cell motility in higher organisms (eukaryotes) is crucial to biological functions ranging from wound healing to immune response, and also implicated in diseases such as cancer. For cells crawling on hard surfaces, significant insights into motility have been gained from experiments replicating such motion in vitro. Such experiments show that crawling uses a combination of actin treadmilling (polymerization), which pushes the front of a cell forward, and myosin-induced stress (contractility), which retracts the rear. Here we present a simplified physical model of a crawling cell, consisting of a droplet of active polar fluid with contractility throughout, but treadmilling connected to a thin layer near the supporting wall. The model shows a variety of shapes and/or motility regimes, some closely resembling cases seen experimentally. Our work strongly supports the view that cellular motility exploits autonomous physical mechanisms whose operation does not need continuous regulatory effort.

Suggested Citation

  • E. Tjhung & A. Tiribocchi & D. Marenduzzo & M. E. Cates, 2015. "A minimal physical model captures the shapes of crawling cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-9, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms6420
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6420
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    Cited by:

    1. A. Tiribocchi & M. Durve & M. Lauricella & A. Montessori & D. Marenduzzo & S. Succi, 2023. "The crucial role of adhesion in the transmigration of active droplets through interstitial orifices," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Negro, G. & Carenza, L.N. & Digregorio, P. & Gonnella, G. & Lamura, A., 2018. "Morphology and flow patterns in highly asymmetric active emulsions," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 503(C), pages 464-475.

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