The discriminant role of mechanics during cell migration

Abstract

Cell migration is a fundamental process involved in many mechanobiological phenomena such immune response, bone remodelling and tumorogenesis. During the last decades several numerical works have been proposed in the literature in order to unveil its main biological, chemical and mechanical principles. Here, I will show how a computational approach purely based on mechanics is able to reproduce cell migration in different configurations including migration under confinement, in presence of durotaxis and on flat substrates. A series of models will be presented each of which is based on three main ingredients: i) the active strains of the cell reproducing the cyclic protrusion-contraction movement of the cell (i.e. the polymerization and depolymerization processes), ii) the adhesion forces exerted by the cell on the surrounding and ii) the intra-synchronization between the active strains and the adhesion forces. I will show how mechanics play a critical role in determining the efficiency of the cell in terms of displacement, speed and forces.