Collective Cell Movement in Cell-Scale Tension Gradient on Tissue Interface

TL;DR

This study models how cell polarity and heterophilic adhesion molecules create a tension gradient at tissue interfaces, leading to cell flows that resemble Marangoni flows but in opposite directions, revealing new insights into tissue dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a cellular Potts model to demonstrate how polarization of adhesion molecules induces cell flow opposite to the tension gradient, a novel mechanism in tissue interface behavior.

Findings

Cell flow is induced by heterophilic adhesion polarity.

Flow direction is opposite to the tension gradient.

Optimal adhesion strength range for flow existence identified.

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the emergence of cell flow induced by a tension gradient on a tissue interface as in the case of the Marangoni flow on liquid interface. We consider the molecule density polarity of the heterophilic adhesion between tissues as the origin of the tension gradient. By applying the cellular Potts model, we demonstrate that polarization in concentration (i.e., intracellular localization) of heterophilic adhesion molecules can induce a cell flow similar to the Marangoni flow. In contrast to the ordinary Marangoni flow, this flow is oriented in the opposite direction to that of the tension gradient. The optimal range of adhesion strength is also identified for the existence of this flow.