Spatial and temporal coordination of traction forces in one-dimensional cell migration. Issue 5 (2nd September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Han, Sangyoon J.; Rodriguez, Marita L.; Al-Rekabi, Zeinab; Sniadecki, Nathan J.
• Is Part Of: Cell adhesion & migration. Volume 10:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 529
• Page End: 539
• Publication Date: 2016-09-02
• Subjects: cell elasticity -- cell migration -- microposts -- migration model -- traction forces; Cell adhesion -- Periodicals; Cell migration -- Periodicals; Cell interaction -- Periodicals; 574.876
• DOI: 10.1080/19336918.2016.1221563
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1933-6918

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Migration of a fibroblast along a collagen fiber can be regarded as cell locomotion in one-dimension (1D). In this process, a cell protrudes forward, forms a new adhesion, produces traction forces, and releases its rear adhesion in order to advance itself along a path. However, how a cell coordinates its adhesion formation, traction forces, and rear release in 1D migration is unclear. Here, we studied fibroblasts migrating along a line of microposts. We found that when the front of a cell protruded onto a new micropost, the traction force produced at its front increased steadily, but did so without a temporal correlation in the force at its rear. Instead, the force at the front coordinated with a decrease in force at the micropost behind the front. A similar correlation in traction forces also occurred at the rear of a cell, where a decrease in force due to adhesion detachment corresponded to an increase in force at the micropost ahead of the rear. Analysis with a bio-chemo-mechanical model for traction forces and adhesion dynamics indicated that the observed relationship between traction forces at the front and back of a cell is possible only when cellular elasticity is lower than the elasticity of the cellular environment.