Computational estimates of mechanical constraints on cell migration through the extracellular matrix.

ABSTRACT: Cell migration through a three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix (ECM) underlies important physiological phenomena and is based on a variety of mechanical strategies depending on the cell type and the properties of the ECM. By using computer simulations of the cell's mid-plane, we investigate two such migration mechanisms-'push-pull' (forming a finger-like protrusion, adhering to an ECM node, and pulling the cell body forward) and 'rear-squeezing' (pushing the cell body through the ECM by contracting the cell cortex and ECM at the cell rear). We present a computational model that accounts for both elastic deformation and forces of the ECM, an active cell cortex and nucleus, and for hydrodynamic forces and flow of the extracellular fluid, cytoplasm, and nucleoplasm. We find that relatio

SUBMITTER: Maxian O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7480866 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature