A multiscale whole-cell theory for mechanosensitive migration on viscoelastic substrates

Increasing experimental evidence validates that both the elastic stiffness and viscosity of the extracellular matrix regulate mesenchymal cell behavior, such as the rational switch between durotaxis (cell migration to stiffer regions), anti-dur-otaxis (migration to softer regions), and adurotaxis (stiffness-insensitive migration). To reveal the mechanisms underlying the crossover between these motility regimes, we have developed a multiscale chemomechanical whole-cell theory for mesen-chymal migration. Our framework couples the subcellular focal adhesion dynamics at the cell-substrate interface with the cellular cytoskeletal mechanics and the chemical signaling pathways involving Rho GTPase proteins. Upon polarization by the Rho GTPase gradients, our simulated cell migrates by concerted peripheral protrusions and contractions, a hallmark of the mesen-chymal mode. The resulting cell dynamics quantitatively reproduces the experimental migration speed as a function of the uni-form substrate stiffness and explains the influence of viscosity on the migration efficiency. In the presence of stiffness gradients and absence of chemical polarization, our simulated cell can exhibit durotaxis, anti-durotaxis, and adurotaxis respectively with increasing substrate stiffness or viscosity. The cell moves toward an optimally stiff region from softer regions during durotaxis and from stiffer regions during anti-durotaxis. We show that cell polarization through steep Rho GTPase gradients can reverse the migration direction dictated by the mechanical cues. Overall, our theory demonstrates that opposing durotactic behaviors emerge via the interplay between intracellular signaling and cell-medium mechanical interactions in agreement with experi-ments, thereby elucidating complex mechanosensing at the single-cell level.

Automated summary

Increasing experimental evidence shows that the elastic stiffness and viscosity of the extracellular matrix play a role in regulating mesenchymal cell behavior, including migration towards stiffer regions (durotaxis), softer regions (anti-durotaxis), or independent of stiffness (adurotaxis). To understand the mechanisms behind these behaviors, a multiscale chemomechanical whole-cell theory was developed to study mesenchymal migration. The theory shows that cell dynamics can quantitatively reproduce experimental migration speed based on substrate stiffness and explain the influence of viscosity on migration efficiency. The simulated cells can exhibit durotaxis, anti-durotaxis, and adurotaxis in the presence of stiffness gradients without chemical polarization. The theory also demonstrates the role of intracellular signaling and cell-medium mechanical interactions in complex mechanosensing at the single-cell level.