Texture sensing of cytoskeletal dynamics in cell migration

ORAL

Abstract

Migrating cells can be directed towards a target by gradients in properties such as chemical concentration or mechanical properties of the surrounding microenvironment. In previous studies we have shown that micro/nanotopographical features on scales comparable to those of natural collagen fibers can guide fast migrating amoeboid cells by aligning actin polymerization waves to such nanostructures. We find that actin microfilaments and microtubules are aligned along the nanoridge topographies, modulating overall cell polarity and directional migration in epithelial cells. This work shows that topographic features on a biologically relevant length scale can modulate migration outcomes by affecting the texture sensing property of the cytoskeleton.

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Authors

  • Satarupa Das

    Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Univ of Maryland-College Park

  • Rachel Lee

    Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park

  • Matthew J. Hourwitz

    Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park

  • Xiaoyu Sun

    Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Univ of Maryland-College Park, Department of Chemistry, University of Maryland

  • Carole A. Parent

    Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, 37 Convent Drive, Bethesda, National Institute of Health, LCMB, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health

  • John Fourkas

    Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Univ of Maryland-College Park, Department of Chemistry, University of Maryland

  • Wolfgang Losert

    Chemical Physics Graduate Program, University of Maryland, University of Maryland, College Park, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Univ of Maryland-College Park, University of Maryland