Crawling and Gliding: A Computational Model for Shape-Driven Cell Migration

PLoS Comput Biol. 2015 Oct 21;11(10):e1004280. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004280. eCollection 2015 Oct.

Abstract

Cell migration is a complex process involving many intracellular and extracellular factors, with different cell types adopting sometimes strikingly different morphologies. Modeling realistically behaving cells in tissues is computationally challenging because it implies dealing with multiple levels of complexity. We extend the Cellular Potts Model with an actin-inspired feedback mechanism that allows small stochastic cell rufflings to expand to cell protrusions. This simple phenomenological model produces realistically crawling and deforming amoeboid cells, and gliding half-moon shaped keratocyte-like cells. Both cell types can migrate randomly or follow directional cues. They can squeeze in between other cells in densely populated environments or migrate collectively. The model is computationally light, which allows the study of large, dense and heterogeneous tissues containing cells with realistic shapes and migratory properties.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / physiology*
  • Amoeba / cytology*
  • Amoeba / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology
  • Cell Movement / physiology*
  • Cell Size*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological*
  • Molecular Motor Proteins / physiology

Substances

  • Actins
  • Molecular Motor Proteins

Grants and funding

IN and JT were supported by The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) grant No. 912.10.066 (to RJdB). JT was supported by a postdoctoral scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.