Journal
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Volume 110, Issue 52, Pages 21006-21011Publisher
NATL ACAD SCIENCES
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1317441110
Keywords
cell migration; microfluidics; physical forces; cell confinement; photocaged chemoattractant
Categories
Funding
- National Institutes of Health [P41 EB002503]
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
- Beckman Laser Institute Foundation
- Brigham and Women's Hospital
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Cells integrate multiple measurement modalities to navigate their environment. Soluble and substrate-bound chemical gradients and physical cues have all been shown to influence cell orientation and migration. Here we investigate the role of asymmetric hydraulic pressure in directional sensing. Cells confined in microchannels identified and chose a path of lower hydraulic resistance in the absence of chemical cues. In a bifurcating channel with asymmetric hydraulic resistances, this choice was preceded by the elaboration of two leading edges with a faster extension rate along the lower resistance channel. Retraction of the losing edge appeared to precipitate a final choice of direction. The pressure differences altering leading edge protrusion rates were small, suggesting weak force generation by leading edges. The response to the physical asymmetry was able to override a dynamically generated chemical cue. Motile cells may use this bias as a result of hydraulic resistance, or barotaxis, in concert with chemotaxis to navigate complex environments.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available