A hybrid computational model for collective cell durotaxis

Escribano, J. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Sunyer, R. ; Sánchez, M.T. ; Trepat, X. ; Roca-Cusachs, P. ; García-Aznar, J.M. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Collective cell migration is regulated by a complex set of mechanical interactions and cellular mechanisms. Collective migration emerges from mechanisms occurring at single cell level, involving processes like contraction, polymerization and depolymerization, of cell–cell interactions and of cell–substrate adhesion. Here, we present a computational framework which simulates the dynamics of this emergent behavior conditioned by substrates with stiffness gradients. The computational model reproduces the cell’s ability to move toward the stiffer part of the substrate, process known as durotaxis. It combines the continuous formulation of truss elements and a particle-based approach to simulate the dynamics of cell–matrix adhesions and cell–cell interactions. Using this hybrid approach, researchers can quickly create a quantitative model to understand the regulatory role of different mechanical conditions on the dynamics of collective cell migration. Our model shows that durotaxis occurs due to the ability of cells to deform the substrate more in the part of lower stiffness than in the stiffer part. This effect explains why cell collective movement is more effective than single cell movement in stiffness gradient conditions. In addition, we numerically evaluate how gradient stiffness properties, cell monolayer size and force transmission between cells and extracellular matrix are crucial in regulating durotaxis.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1007/s10237-018-1010-2

Año: 2018

Publicado en: BIOMECHANICS AND MODELING IN MECHANOBIOLOGY 17, 4 (2018), 1037-1052
ISSN: 1617-7959

Factor impacto JCR: 2.829 (2018)

Categ. JCR: ENGINEERING, BIOMEDICAL rank: 28 / 80 = 0.35 (2018) - Q2 - T2
Categ. JCR: BIOPHYSICS rank: 26 / 72 = 0.361 (2018) - Q2 - T2

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 1.001 - Biotechnology (Q1) - Modeling and Simulation (Q1) - Mechanical Engineering (Q1)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/306571/EU/Predictive modelling and simulation in mechano-chemo-biology: a computer multi-approach/INSILICO-CELL
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/616480/EU/Multiscale regulation of epithelial tension/TensionControl
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/BES-2013-063684-FPI
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/BFU2014-52586-REDT
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/BFU2015-65074-P
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/BFU2016-79916-P
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/DPI2015-64221-C2-1-R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EUR/SEP/210342844

Tipo y forma: Article (PostPrint)

Área (Departamento): Área Mec.Med.Cont. y Teor.Est. (Dpto. Ingeniería Mecánica)