In silico analysis shows that dynamic changes in curvature guide cell migration over long distances

• Manifacier Ian
• Carlin Gildas
• Liu Dongshu
• Vassaux Maxime
• Pieuchot Laurent
• Luchnikov Valeriy
• Anselme Karine
• Milan Jean-Louis

• Curvature
• Cell migration
• Curvotaxis
• Long-distance cell migration
• Cell modeling
• Cell contractility
• Nucleus
• Curvature cell migration curvotaxis long-distance cell migration modeling contractility nucleus
• Modeling
• Contractility

In-vitro experiments have shown that cell scale curvatures influence cell migration; cells avoid convex hills and settle in concave valleys. However, it is not known whether dynamic changes in curvature can guide cell migration. This study extends a previous in-silico model to explore the effects over time of changing the substrate curvature on cell migration guidance. By simulating a dynamic surface curvature using traveling wave patterns, we investigate the influence of wave height and speed, and find that long-distance cell migration guidance can be achieved on specific wave patterns. We propose a mechanistic explanation of what we call dynamic curvotaxis and highlight those cellular features that may be involved. Our results open a new area of study for understanding cell mobility in dynamic environments, from single-cell in-vitro experiments to multi-cellular in-vivo mechanisms.