Forming the cell rear first: breaking cell symmetry to trigger directed cell migration

Symmetry breaking in spreading RAT2 fibroblasts requires the MAPK/ERK pathway scaffold RACK1 that integrates FAK, p190A-RhoGAP and ERK2 signaling

The spreading of adhering cells is a morphogenetic process during which cells break spherical or radial symmetry and adopt migratory polarity with spatially segregated protruding cell front and non-protruding cell rear. The organization and regulation of these symmetry-breaking events, which are both complex and stochastic, are not fully understood. Here we show that in radially spreading cells, symmetry breaking commences with the development of discrete non-protruding regions characterized by large but sparse focal adhesions and long peripheral actin bundles. Establishment of this non-protruding static region specifies the distally oriented protruding cell front and thus determines the polarity axis and the direction of cell migration. The development of non-protruding regions requires ERK2 and the ERK pathway scaffold protein RACK1. RACK1 promotes adhesion-mediated activation of ERK2 that in turn inhibits p190A-RhoGAP signaling by reducing the peripheral localization of p190A-RhoGAP. We propose that sustained ERK signaling at the prospective cell rear induces p190A-RhoGAP depletion from the cell periphery resulting in peripheral actin bundles and cell rear formation. Since cell adhesion activates both ERK and p190A-RhoGAP signaling this constitutes a spatially confined incoherent feed-forward signaling circuit.

Actin kinetics shapes cortical network structure and mechanics

The actin cortex of animal cells is the main determinant of cellular mechanics. The continuous turnover of cortical actin filaments enables cells to quickly respond to stimuli. Recent work has shown that most of the cortical actin is generated by only two actin nucleators, the Arp2/3 complex and the formin Diaph1. However, our understanding of their interplay, their kinetics, and the length distribution of the filaments that they nucleate within living cells is poor. Such knowledge is necessary for a thorough comprehension of cellular processes and cell mechanics from basic polymer physics principles. We determined cortical assembly rates in living cells by using single-molecule fluorescence imaging in combination with stochastic simulations. We find that formin-nucleated filaments are, on average, 10 times longer than Arp2/3-nucleated filaments. Although formin-generated filaments represent less than 10% of all actin filaments, mechanical measurements indicate that they are important determinants of cortical elasticity. Tuning the activity of actin nucleators to alter filament length distribution may thus be a mechanism allowing cells to adjust their macroscopic mechanical properties to their physiological needs.

An analysis toolbox to explore mesenchymal migration heterogeneity reveals adaptive switching between distinct modes

Mesenchymal (lamellipodial) migration is heterogeneous, although whether this reflects progressive variability or discrete, 'switchable' migration modalities, remains unclear. We present an analytical toolbox, based on quantitative single-cell imaging data, to interrogate this heterogeneity. Integrating supervised behavioral classification with multivariate analyses of cell motion, membrane dynamics, cell-matrix adhesion status and F-actin organization, this toolbox here enables the detection and characterization of two quantitatively distinct mesenchymal migration modes, termed 'Continuous' and 'Discontinuous'. Quantitative mode comparisons reveal differences in cell motion, spatiotemporal coordination of membrane protrusion/retraction, and how cells within each mode reorganize with changed cell speed. These modes thus represent distinctive migratory strategies. Additional analyses illuminate the macromolecular- and cellular-scale effects of molecular targeting (fibronectin, talin, ROCK), including 'adaptive switching' between Continuous (favored at high adhesion/full contraction) and Discontinuous (low adhesion/inhibited contraction) modes. Overall, this analytical toolbox now facilitates the exploration of both spontaneous and adaptive heterogeneity in mesenchymal migration.

Assembly and positioning of actomyosin rings by contractility and planar cell polarity

The actomyosin cytoskeleton is a primary force-generating mechanism in morphogenesis, thus a robust spatial control of cytoskeletal positioning is essential. In this report, we demonstrate that actomyosin contractility and planar cell polarity (PCP) interact in post-mitotic Ciona notochord cells to self-assemble and reposition actomyosin rings, which play an essential role for cell elongation. Intriguingly, rings always form at the cells' anterior edge before migrating towards the center as contractility increases, reflecting a novel dynamical property of the cortex. Our drug and genetic manipulations uncover a tug-of-war between contractility, which localizes cortical flows toward the equator and PCP, which tries to reposition them. We develop a simple model of the physical forces underlying this tug-of-war, which quantitatively reproduces our results. We thus propose a quantitative framework for dissecting the relative contribution of contractility and PCP to the self-assembly and repositioning of cytoskeletal structures, which should be applicable to other morphogenetic events.

KCNJ15/Kir4.2 couples with polyamines to sense weak extracellular electric fields in galvanotaxis

Weak electric fields guide cell migration, known as galvanotaxis/electrotaxis. The sensor(s) cells use to detect the fields remain elusive. Here we perform a large-scale screen using an RNAi library targeting ion transporters in human cells. We identify 18 genes that show either defective or increased galvanotaxis after knockdown. Knockdown of the KCNJ15 gene (encoding inwardly rectifying K⁺ channel Kir4.2) specifically abolishes galvanotaxis, without affecting basal motility and directional migration in a monolayer scratch assay. Depletion of cytoplasmic polyamines, highly positively charged small molecules that regulate Kir4.2 function, completely inhibits galvanotaxis, whereas increase of intracellular polyamines enhances galvanotaxis in a Kir4.2-dependent manner. Expression of a polyamine-binding defective mutant of KCNJ15 significantly decreases galvanotaxis. Knockdown or inhibition of KCNJ15 prevents phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP₃) from distributing to the leading edge. Taken together these data suggest a previously unknown two-molecule sensing mechanism in which KCNJ15/Kir4.2 couples with polyamines in sensing weak electric fields.

Directed cell migration in weak electric fields is known as galvanotaxis, but the cellular sensor and mechanism is not known. Here Nakajima et al. identify inwardly rectifying K⁺ channel Kir4.2 as an important mediator of galvanotaxis, that depends on the cytoplasmic distribution of intracellular polyamines.

Dynamic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton

Cellular processes, including morphogenesis, polarization, and motility, rely on a variety of actin-based structures. Although the biochemical composition and filament organization of these structures are different, they often emerge from a common origin. This is possible because the actin structures are highly dynamic. Indeed, they assemble, grow, and disassemble in a time scale of a second to a minute. Therefore, the reorganization of a given actin structure can promote the formation of another. Here, we discuss such transitions and illustrate them with computer simulations.

A resilient formin-derived cortical actin meshwork in the rear drives actomyosin-based motility in 2D confinement

Cell migration is driven by the establishment of disparity between the cortical properties of the softer front and the more rigid rear allowing front extension and actomyosin-based rear contraction. However, how the cortical actin meshwork in the rear is generated remains elusive. Here we identify the mDia1-like formin A (ForA) from Dictyostelium discoideum that generates a subset of filaments as the basis of a resilient cortical actin sheath in the rear. Mechanical resistance of this actin compartment is accomplished by actin crosslinkers and IQGAP-related proteins, and is mandatory to withstand the increased contractile forces in response to mechanical stress by impeding unproductive blebbing in the rear, allowing efficient cell migration in two-dimensional-confined environments. Consistently, ForA supresses the formation of lateral protrusions, rapidly relocalizes to new prospective ends in repolarizing cells and is required for cortical integrity. Finally, we show that ForA utilizes the phosphoinositide gradients in polarized cells for subcellular targeting.

The cell ratchet: interplay between efficient protrusions and adhesion determines cell motion

Many physiological and pathological processes involve directed cell motion. In general, migrating cells are represented with a polarized morphology with extending and retracting protrusions at the leading edge. However, cell motion is a more complex phenomenon. Cells show heterogeneous morphologies and high protrusive dynamics is not always related to cell shape. This prevents the quantitative prediction of cell motion and the identification of cellular mechanisms setting directionality. Here we discuss the importance of protrusion fluctuations in directed cell motion. We show how their spatiotemporal distribution and dynamics determine the fluctuations and directions of cell motion for NIH3T3 fibroblasts plated on micro-patterned adhesive ratchets. (1) We introduce efficient protrusions and direction index which capture short-term cell motility over hours: these new read-outs allow the prediction of parameters characteristic for the long-term motion of cells over days. The results may have important implications for the study of biological phenomena where directed cell migration is involved, in morphogenesis and in cancer.

Disentangling Membrane Dynamics and Cell Migration; Differential Influences of F-actin and Cell-Matrix Adhesions

Cell migration is heavily interconnected with plasma membrane protrusion and retraction (collectively termed “membrane dynamics”). This makes it difficult to distinguish regulatory mechanisms that differentially influence migration and membrane dynamics. Yet such distinctions may be valuable given evidence that cancer cell invasion in 3D may be better predicted by 2D membrane dynamics than by 2D cell migration, implying a degree of functional independence between these processes. Here, we applied multi-scale single cell imaging and a systematic statistical approach to disentangle regulatory associations underlying either migration or membrane dynamics. This revealed preferential correlations between membrane dynamics and F-actin features, contrasting with an enrichment of links between cell migration and adhesion complex properties. These correlative linkages were often non-linear and therefore context-dependent, strengthening or weakening with spontaneous heterogeneity in cell behavior. More broadly, we observed that slow moving cells tend to increase in area, while fast moving cells tend to shrink, and that the size of dynamic membrane domains is independent of cell area. Overall, we define macromolecular features preferentially associated with either cell migration or membrane dynamics, enabling more specific interrogation and targeting of these processes in future.

Novel protein Callipygian defines the back of migrating cells

Asymmetric protein localization is essential for cell polarity and migration. We report a novel protein, Callipygian (CynA), which localizes to the lagging edge before other proteins and becomes more tightly restricted as cells polarize; additionally, it accumulates in the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis. CynA protein that is tightly localized, or "clustered," to the cell rear is immobile, but when polarity is disrupted, it disperses throughout the membrane and responds to uniform chemoattractant stimulation by transiently localizing to the cytosol. These behaviors require a pleckstrin homology-domain membrane tether and a WD40 clustering domain, which can also direct other membrane proteins to the back. Fragments of CynA lacking the pleckstrin homology domain, which are normally found in the cytosol, localize to the lagging edge membrane when coexpressed with full-length protein, showing that CynA clustering is mediated by oligomerization. Cells lacking CynA have aberrant lateral protrusions, altered leading-edge morphology, and decreased directional persistence, whereas those overexpressing the protein display exaggerated features of polarity. Consistently, actin polymerization is inhibited at sites of CynA accumulation, thereby restricting protrusions to the opposite edge. We suggest that the mutual antagonism between CynA and regions of responsiveness creates a positive feedback loop that restricts CynA to the rear and contributes to the establishment of the cell axis.

Balance between cell-substrate adhesion and myosin contraction determines the frequency of motility initiation in fish keratocytes

Cells are dynamic systems capable of spontaneously switching among stable states. One striking example of this is spontaneous symmetry breaking and motility initiation in fish epithelial keratocytes. Although the biochemical and mechanical mechanisms that control steady-state migration in these cells have been well characterized, the mechanisms underlying symmetry breaking are less well understood. In this work, we have combined experimental manipulations of cell-substrate adhesion strength and myosin activity, traction force measurements, and mathematical modeling to develop a comprehensive mechanical model for symmetry breaking and motility initiation in fish epithelial keratocytes. Our results suggest that stochastic fluctuations in adhesion strength and myosin localization drive actin network flow rates in the prospective cell rear above a critical threshold. Above this threshold, high actin flow rates induce a nonlinear switch in adhesion strength, locally switching adhesions from gripping to slipping and further accelerating actin flow in the prospective cell rear, resulting in rear retraction and motility initiation. We further show, both experimentally and with model simulations, that the global levels of adhesion strength and myosin activity control the stability of the stationary state: The frequency of symmetry breaking decreases with increasing adhesion strength and increases with increasing myosin contraction. Thus, the relative strengths of two opposing mechanical forces--contractility and cell-substrate adhesion--determine the likelihood of spontaneous symmetry breaking and motility initiation.

Inter-cellular forces orchestrate contact inhibition of locomotion

Contact inhibition of locomotion (CIL) is a multifaceted process that causes many cell types to repel each other upon collision. During development, this seemingly uncoordinated reaction is a critical driver of cellular dispersion within embryonic tissues. Here, we show that Drosophila hemocytes require a precisely orchestrated CIL response for their developmental dispersal. Hemocyte collision and subsequent repulsion involves a stereotyped sequence of kinematic stages that are modulated by global changes in cytoskeletal dynamics. Tracking actin retrograde flow within hemocytes in vivo reveals synchronous reorganization of colliding actin networks through engagement of an inter-cellular adhesion. This inter-cellular actin-clutch leads to a subsequent build-up in lamellar tension, triggering the development of a transient stress fiber, which orchestrates cellular repulsion. Our findings reveal that the physical coupling of the flowing actin networks during CIL acts as a mechanotransducer, allowing cells to haptically sense each other and coordinate their behaviors.

TRPV4 participates in the establishment of trailing adhesions and directional persistence of migrating cells

Calcium signaling participates in different cellular processes leading to cell migration. TRPV4, a non-selective cation channel that responds to mechano-osmotic stimulation and heat, is also involved in cell migration. However, the mechanistic involvement of TRPV4 in cell migration is currently unknown. We now report that expression of the mutant channel TRPV4-(121)AAWAA (lacking the phosphoinositide-binding site (121)KRWRK(125) and the response to physiological stimuli) altered HEK293 cell migration. Altered migration patterns included periods of fast and persistent motion followed by periods of stalling and turning, and the extension of multiple long cellular protrusions. TRPV4-WT overexpressing cells showed almost complete loss of directionality with frequent turns, no progression, and absence of long protrusions. Traction microscopy revealed higher tractions forces in the tail of TRPV4-(121)AAWAA than in TRPV4-WT expressing cells. These results are consistent with a defective and augmented tail retraction in TRPV4-(121)AAWAA- and TRPV4-WT-expressing cells, respectively. The activity of calpain, a protease implicated in focal adhesion (FA) disassembly, was decreased in TRPV4-(121)AAWAA compared with TRPV4-WT-expressing cells. Consistently, larger focal adhesions were seen in TRPV4-(121)AAWAA compared with TRPV4-WT-expressing HEK293 cells, a result that was also reproduced in T47D and U87 cells. Similarly, overexpression of the pore-dead mutant TRPV4-M680D resumed the TRPV4-(121)AAWAA phenotype presenting larger FA. The migratory phenotype obtained in HEK293 cells overexpressing TRPV4-(121)AAWAA was mimicked by knocking-down TRPC1, a cationic channel that participates in cell migration. Together, our results point to the participation of TRPV4 in the dynamics of trailing adhesions, a function that may require the interplay of TRPV4 with other cation channels or proteins present at the FA sites.

Huntingtin regulates Ca(2+) chemotaxis and K(+)-facilitated cAMP chemotaxis, in conjunction with the monovalent cation/H(+) exchanger Nhe1, in a model developmental system: insights into its possible role in Huntington׳s disease

Huntington׳s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, attributable to an expanded trinucleotide repeat in the coding region of the human HTT gene, which encodes the protein huntingtin. These mutations lead to huntingtin fragment inclusions in the striatum of the brain. However, the exact function of normal huntingtin and the defect causing the disease remain obscure. Because there are indications that huntingtin plays a role in Ca(2+) homeostasis, we studied the deletion mutant of the HTT ortholog in the model developmental system Dictyostelium discoideum, in which Ca(2+) plays a role in receptor-regulated behavior related to the aggregation process that leads to multicellular morphogenesis. The D. discoideum htt(-)-mutant failed to undergo both K(+)-facilitated chemotaxis in spatial gradients of the major chemoattractant cAMP, and chemotaxis up a spatial gradient of Ca(2+), but behaved normally in Ca(2+)-facilitated cAMP chemotaxis and Ca(2+)-dependent flow-directed motility. This was the same phenotypic profile of the null mutant of Nhel, a monovalent cation/H(+)exchanger. The htt(-)-mutant also failed to orient correctly during natural aggregation, as was the case for the Nhel mutant. Moreover, in a K(+)-based buffer the normal localization of actin was similarly defective in both htt(-) and nhe1(-) cells in a K(+)-based buffer, and the normal localization of Nhe1 was disrupted in the htt(-) mutant. These observations demonstrate that Htt and Nhel play roles in the same specific cation-facilitated behaviors and that Nhel localization is directly or indirectly regulated by Htt. Similar cation-dependent behaviors and a similar relationship between Htt and Nhe1 have not been reported for mammalian neurons and deserves investigation, especially as it may relate to Huntington׳s disease.

Cellular control of cortical actin nucleation

The contractile actin cortex is a thin layer of actin, myosin, and actin-binding proteins that subtends the membrane of animal cells. The cortex is the main determinant of cell shape and plays a fundamental role in cell division [1-3], migration [4], and tissue morphogenesis [5]. For example, cortex contractility plays a crucial role in amoeboid migration of metastatic cells [6] and during division, where its misregulation can lead to aneuploidy [7]. Despite its importance, our knowledge of the cortex is poor, and even the proteins nucleating it remain unknown, though a number of candidates have been proposed based on indirect evidence [8-15]. Here, we used two independent approaches to identify cortical actin nucleators: a proteomic analysis using cortex-rich isolated blebs, and a localization/small hairpin RNA (shRNA) screen searching for phenotypes with a weakened cortex or altered contractility. This unbiased study revealed that two proteins generated the majority of cortical actin: the formin mDia1 and the Arp2/3 complex. Each nucleator contributed a similar amount of F-actin to the cortex but had very different accumulation kinetics. Electron microscopy examination revealed that each nucleator affected cortical network architecture differently. mDia1 depletion led to failure in division, but Arp2/3 depletion did not. Interestingly, despite not affecting division on its own, Arp2/3 inhibition potentiated the effect of mDia1 depletion. Our findings indicate that the bulk of the actin cortex is nucleated by mDia1 and Arp2/3 and suggest a mechanism for rapid fine-tuning of cortex structure and mechanics by adjusting the relative contribution of each nucleator.

Physical explanation of coupled cell-cell rotational behavior and interfacial morphology: a particle dynamics model

Previous studies have reported persistent rotational behavior between adherent cell-cell pairs cultured on micropatterned substrates, and this rotation is often accompanied by a sigmoidal deflection of the cell-cell interface. Interestingly, the cell-cell rotation runs in the opposite reference frame from what could be expected of single cell locomotion. Specifically, the rotation of the cell pair consists of each individual cell protruding from the inwardly regressive arm of the cell-cell interface, and retracting from the other outwardly protrusive arm. To this author's knowledge, the cause of this elusive behavior has not yet been clarified. Here, we propose a physical model based on particle dynamics, accounting for actomyosin forcing, viscous dissipation, and cortical tension. The results show that a correlation in actomyosin force vectors leads to both persistent rotational behavior and interfacial deflection in a simulated cell cluster. Significantly, the model, without any artificial cues, spontaneously and consistently reproduces the same rotational reference frame as experimentally observed. Further analyses show that the interfacial deflection depends predominantly on cortical tension, whereas the cluster rotation depends predominantly on actomyosin forcing. Together, these results corroborate the hypothesis that both rotational and morphological phenomena are, in fact, physically coupled by an intracellular torque of a common origin.

Role of anoctamins in cancer and apoptosis

Anoctamin 1 (TMEM16A, Ano1) is a recently identified Ca(2+)-activated chloride channel and a member of a large protein family comprising 10 paralogues. Before Ano1 was identified as a chloride channel protein, it was known as the cancer marker DOG1. DOG1/Ano1 is expressed in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) and particularly in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, at very high levels never detected in other tissues. It is now emerging that Ano1 is part of the 11q13 locus, amplified in several types of tumour, where it is thought to augment cell proliferation, cell migration and metastasis. Notably, Ano1 is upregulated through histone deacetylase (HDAC), corresponding to the known role of HDAC in HNSCC. As Ano1 does not enhance proliferation in every cell type, its function is perhaps modulated by cell-specific factors, or by the abundance of other anoctamins. Thus Ano6, by regulating Ca(2+)-induced membrane phospholipid scrambling and annexin V binding, supports cellular apoptosis rather than proliferation. Current findings implicate other cellular functions of anoctamins, apart from their role as Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels.

Mechanical decision trees for investigating and modulating single-cell cancer invasion dynamics

Physical cues exist across all biological scales, from the geometries of molecules to the shapes of complex organisms. While their roles have been identified across a range of scales, i.e. the arrangements of biomolecules and the form and function of tissues, less is known in some intermediate lengths. Particularly, at the cell scale, there is emerging evidence demonstrating the impact of mechanical signals, such as substrate stiffness and confinement, on many critical biological processes and malignancies, especially cancer dissemination. In the context of cell invasion, it is currently unclear how cells select from accessible mechanical paths that result in migratory patterns observed in physiological environments. Here, we devise microchannel decision trees to explore how fundamental and ubiquitous mechanical factors, specifically dimensionality and directionality, affect migratory cell decision making. We then implement strategies based purely on mechanical asymmetries to induce repetitive, non-disseminating motions, in a phenomenon we call iteratio ad nauseam.

Wnt5a directs polarized calcium gradients by recruiting cortical endoplasmic reticulum to the cell trailing edge

Wnt5a directs the assembly of the Wnt-receptor-actin-myosin-polarity (WRAMP) structure, which integrates cell-adhesion receptors with F-actin and myosin to form a microfilament array associated with multivesicular bodies (MVBs). The WRAMP structure is polarized to the cell posterior, where it directs tail-end membrane retraction, driving forward translocation of the cell body. Here we define constituents of the WRAMP proteome, including regulators of microfilament and microtubule dynamics, protein interactions, and enzymatic activity. IQGAP1, a scaffold for F-actin nucleation and crosslinking, is necessary for WRAMP structure formation, potentially bridging microfilaments and MVBs. Vesicle coat proteins, including coatomer-I subunits, localize to and are required for the WRAMP structure. Electron microscopy and live imaging demonstrate movement of the ER to the WRAMP structure and plasma membrane, followed by elevation of intracellular Ca2+. Thus, Wnt5a controls directional movement by recruiting cortical ER to mobilize a rear-directed, localized Ca2+ signal, activating actomyosin contraction and adhesion disassembly for membrane retraction.

Roles of ion transport in control of cell motility

Cell motility is an essential feature of life. It is essential for reproduction, propagation, embryonic development, and healing processes such as wound closure and a successful immune defense. If out of control, cell motility can become life-threatening as, for example, in metastasis or autoimmune diseases. Regardless of whether ciliary/flagellar or amoeboid movement, controlled motility always requires a concerted action of ion channels and transporters, cytoskeletal elements, and signaling cascades. Ion transport across the plasma membrane contributes to cell motility by affecting the membrane potential and voltage-sensitive ion channels, by inducing local volume changes with the help of aquaporins and by modulating cytosolic Ca(2+) and H(+) concentrations. Voltage-sensitive ion channels serve as voltage detectors in electric fields thus enabling galvanotaxis; local swelling facilitates the outgrowth of protrusions at the leading edge while local shrinkage accompanies the retraction of the cell rear; the cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration exerts its main effect on cytoskeletal dynamics via motor proteins such as myosin or dynein; and both, the intracellular and the extracellular H(+) concentration modulate cell migration and adhesion by tuning the activity of enzymes and signaling molecules in the cytosol as well as the activation state of adhesion molecules at the cell surface. In addition to the actual process of ion transport, both, channels and transporters contribute to cell migration by being part of focal adhesion complexes and/or physically interacting with components of the cytoskeleton. The present article provides an overview of how the numerous ion-transport mechanisms contribute to the various modes of cell motility.

Mathematical modeling of eukaryotic cell migration: insights beyond experiments

A migrating cell is a molecular machine made of tens of thousands of short-lived and interacting parts. Understanding migration means understanding the self-organization of these parts into a system of functional units. This task is one of tackling complexity: First, the system integrates numerous chemical and mechanical component processes. Second, these processes are connected in feedback interactions and over a large range of spatial and temporal scales. Third, many processes are stochastic, which leads to heterogeneous migration behaviors. Early on in the research of cell migration it became evident that this complexity exceeds human intuition. Thus, the cell migration community has led the charge to build mathematical models that could integrate the diverse experimental observations and measurements in consistent frameworks, first in conceptual and more recently in molecularly explicit models. The main goal of this review is to sift through a series of important conceptual and explicit mathematical models of cell migration and to evaluate their contribution to the field in their ability to integrate critical experimental data.

The key regulatory roles of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the functionalities of mesenchymal stem cells and applications in tissue regeneration

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that can differentiate into various cell types and have been widely used in tissue engineering application. In tissue engineering, a scaffold, MSCs and growth factors are used as essential components and their interactions have been regarded to be important for regeneration of tissues. A critical problem for MSCs in tissue engineering is their low survival ability and functionality. Most MSCs are going to be apoptotic after transplantation. Therefore, increasing MSC survival ability and functionalities is the key for potential applications of MSCs. Several approaches have been studied to increase MSC tissue forming capacity including application of growth factors, overexpression of stem cell regulatory genes, and improvement of biomaterials for scaffolds. The effects of these approaches on MSCs have been associated with activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. The pathway plays central regulatory roles in MSC survival, proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, cytokine production, and differentiation. In this review, we summarize and discuss the literatures related to the roles of the PI3K/Akt pathway in the functionalities of MSCs and the involvement of the pathway in biomaterials-increased MSC functionalities. Biomaterials have been modified in their properties and surface structure and loaded with growth factors to increase MSC functionalities. Several studies demonstrated that the biomaterials-increased MSC functionalities are mediated by the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Mechanism of cell rear retraction in migrating cells

For decades, ever growing data on myosin II provides strong evidence that interaction of myosin-II-motor-domain with actin filaments within cells retracts the cell rear during actin-based cell migration. Now it is clear myosin II motor-activity is not the sole force involved. Alternative force-generating mechanisms within cells clearly also exist to power cell rear retraction during actin-based cell migration. Given that nematode sperm cells migrate without actin and without cytoskeletal motor proteins it is perhaps not surprising other types of force power cell rear retraction in actin-based systems. Here, cell rear retraction driven by actin filament depolymerisation, actin filament crosslinking, cell front protrusion and possibly apparent membrane tension and their importance relative to myosin II-motor-based contractility are discussed.

Substrate-attached materials are enriched with tetraspanins and are analogous to the structures associated with rear-end retraction in migrating cells

Substrate-attached materials (SAMs) are cellular feet that remain on substrates after the treatment of adherent cells with EGTA. SAMs are thought to contain cell adhesion machineries, but their biochemical properties have not been addressed in detail. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms operating in cell adhesions, we comprehensively identified the protein components of SAMs by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, followed by immunoblot analysis. We found that the tetraspanins CD9, CD81, and CD151 were enriched in SAMs along with other transmembrane proteins that are known to associate with tetraspanins. Notably, integrins were detected in SAMs, but the components of focal adhesions were scarcely detected. These observations are reminiscent of the “footprints” that remain on substrates when the retraction fibers at the rear of migrating cells are released, because such footprints have been reported to contain tetraspanins and integrins but not focal adhesion proteins. In support of this hypothesis, the formation of SAMs was attenuated by inhibitors of ROCK, myosin II and dynamin, all of which are known to participate in rear-end retraction in migrating cells. Furthermore, SAMs left on collagen-coated substrates were found by electron microscopy to be fewer and thinner than those on laminin-coated substrates, reflecting the thin and fragile retraction fibers of cells migrating on collagen. Collectively, these results indicate that SAMs closely resemble the footprints and retraction fibers of migrating cells in their protein components, and that they are yielded by similar mechanisms.

Directional persistence of migrating cells requires Kif1C-mediated stabilization of trailing adhesions

Directional cell migration requires the establishment and maintenance of long-term differences in structure and function between the front and back of a cell. Here, we show that the microtubule motor Kif1C contributes to persistent cell migration primarily through stabilization of an extended cell rear. Kif1C-mediated transport of α5β1-integrins is required for the proper maturation of trailing focal adhesions and resistance to tail retraction. Tail retraction precedes and induces changes in migration direction. Stabilization of cell tails through inhibition of myosin II activity suppresses the Kif1C depletion phenotype and results in longer-lived tails and higher directional stability of migrating cells. Taken together, these findings indicate that the maintenance of an extended, tense cell tail facilitates directional migration. We propose a rear drag mechanism for directional persistence of migration whereby the counterforce originating from a well-anchored tail serves to maintain directionality of the force-generating leading edge of the cell.

Role of ion channels and transporters in cell migration

Cell motility is central to tissue homeostasis in health and disease, and there is hardly any cell in the body that is not motile at a given point in its life cycle. Important physiological processes intimately related to the ability of the respective cells to migrate include embryogenesis, immune defense, angiogenesis, and wound healing. On the other side, migration is associated with life-threatening pathologies such as tumor metastases and atherosclerosis. Research from the last ≈ 15 years revealed that ion channels and transporters are indispensable components of the cellular migration apparatus. After presenting general principles by which transport proteins affect cell migration, we will discuss systematically the role of channels and transporters involved in cell migration.

Impact of cell shape on cell migration behavior on elastic substrate

Cell shape is known to have profound effects on a number of cell behaviors. In this paper we have studied its role in cell migration through modeling the effect of cell shape on the cell traction force distribution, the traction force dependent stability of cell adhesion and the matrix rigidity dependent traction force formation. To quantify the driving force of cell migration, a new parameter called the motility factor, that takes account of the effect of cell shape, matrix rigidity and dynamic stability of cell adhesion, is proposed. We showed that the motility factor depends on the matrix rigidity in a biphasic manner, which is consistent with the experimental observations of the biphasic dependence of cell migration speed on the matrix rigidity. We showed that the cell shape plays a pivotal role in the cell migration behavior by regulating the traction force at the cell front and rear. The larger the cell polarity, the larger the motility factor is. The keratocyte-like shape has a larger motility factor than the fibroblast-like shape, which explains why keratocyte has a much higher migration speed. The motility factor might be an appropriate parameter for a quantitative description of the driving force of cell migration.

Emergent complexity of the cytoskeleton: from single filaments to tissue

Despite their overwhelming complexity, living cells display a high degree of internal mechanical and functional organization which can largely be attributed to the intracellular biopolymer scaffold, the cytoskeleton. Being a very complex system far from thermodynamic equilibrium, the cytoskeleton's ability to organize is at the same time challenging and fascinating. The extensive amounts of frequently interacting cellular building blocks and their inherent multifunctionality permits highly adaptive behavior and obstructs a purely reductionist approach. Nevertheless (and despite the field's relative novelty), the physics approach has already proved to be extremely successful in revealing very fundamental concepts of cytoskeleton organization and behavior. This review aims at introducing the physics of the cytoskeleton ranging from single biopolymer filaments to multicellular organisms. Throughout this wide range of phenomena, the focus is set on the intertwined nature of the different physical scales (levels of complexity) that give rise to numerous emergent properties by means of self-organization or self-assembly.

Supervillin couples myosin-dependent contractility to podosomes and enables their turnover

Podosomes are actin-rich adhesion and invasion structures. Especially in macrophages, podosomes exist in two subpopulations, large precursors at the cell periphery and smaller podosomes (successors) in the cell interior. To date, the mechanisms that differentially regulate these subpopulations are largely unknown. Here, we show that the membrane-associated protein supervillin localizes preferentially to successor podosomes and becomes enriched at precursors immediately before their dissolution. Consistently, podosome numbers are inversely correlated with supervillin protein levels. Using deletion constructs, we find that the myosin II regulatory N-terminus of supervillin [SV(1-174)] is crucial for these effects. Phosphorylated myosin light chain (pMLC) localizes at supervillin-positive podosomes, and time-lapse analyses show that enrichment of GFP-supervillin at podosomes coincides with their coupling to contractile myosin-IIA-positive cables. We also show that supervillin binds only to activated myosin IIA, and a dysregulated N-terminal construct [SV(1-830)] enhances pMLC levels at podosomes. Thus, preferential recruitment of supervillin to podosome subpopulations might both require and induce actomyosin contractility. Using siRNA and pharmacological inhibition, we demonstrate that supervillin and myosin IIA cooperate to regulate podosome lifetime, podosomal matrix degradation and cell polarization. In sum, we show here that podosome subpopulations differ in their molecular composition and identify supervillin, in cooperation with myosin IIA, as a crucial factor in the regulation of podosome turnover and function.

Reprogramming cell shape with laser nano-patterning

Cell shape in vitro can be directed by geometrically-defined micropatterned adhesion substrates. However conventional methods are limited by the fixed micropattern design, which can not recapitulate the dynamic changes of the cell's microenvironment. Here, we manipulate the shape of living cells in real time by using scanned and tightly focused pulsed laser to introduce additional geometrically-defined adhesion sites. This easy-to-handle method allows a precise control of specific actin-based structures that regulate cell architecture. Actin filament bundles or branched meshworks were induced, displaced or removed in response to specific dynamic modifications of cell adhesion pattern. Isotropic branched actin meshworks could be forced to assemble locally new stress fibers and polarise in response to specific geometrical cues. The sub-micrometer resolution of the laser patterning allowed us to identify the critical distances between cell adhesion sites required for cell shape extension and contraction.

Actin depolymerization-based force retracts the cell rear in polarizing and migrating cells

In migrating cells, the relative importance of myosin II contractility for cell rear retraction varies [1-12]. However, in myosin II-inhibited polarizing cells, actin organization is compromised [13-18]; thus it remains unclear whether myosin II is simply required for correct actin arrangement or also directly drives rear retraction [9]. Ascaris sperm cells lack actin and associated motors, and depolymerization of major sperm protein is instead thought to pull the cell rear forward [19, 20]. Opposing views exist on whether actin could also have this function [19, 20] and has not been directly experimentally sought. We probe function at high temporal resolution in polarizing fibroblasts that establish migration by forming the cell rear first [9, 15, 21]. We show that in cells with correctly organized actin, that actin filament depolymerization directly drives retraction of the rear margin to polarize cells and spatially accounts for most cell rear retraction during established migration. Myosin II contractility is required early, to form aligned actin bundles that are needed for polarization, and also later to maintain bundle length that ensures directed protrusion at the cell front. Our data imply a new mechanism: actin depolymerization-based force retracts the cell rear to polarize cells with no direct contribution from myosin II contractility.

Fibroblast polarization is a matrix-rigidity-dependent process controlled by focal adhesion mechanosensing

Cell elongation and polarization are basic morphogenetic responses to extracellular matrix adhesion. We demonstrate here that human cultured fibroblasts readily polarize when plated on rigid, but not on compliant, substrates. On rigid surfaces, large and uniformly oriented focal adhesions are formed, whereas cells plated on compliant substrates form numerous small and radially oriented adhesions. Live-cell monitoring showed that focal adhesion alignment precedes the overall elongation of the cell, indicating that focal adhesion orientation may direct cell polarization. siRNA-mediated knockdown of 85 human protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) induced distinct alterations in the cell polarization response, as well as diverse changes in cell traction force generation and focal adhesion formation. Remarkably, changes in rigidity-dependent traction force development, or focal adhesion mechanosensing, were consistently accompanied by abnormalities in the cell polarization response. We propose that the different stages of cell polarization are regulated by multiple, PTK-dependent molecular checkpoints that jointly control cell contractility and focal-adhesion-mediated mechanosensing.

Integrins in cell migration

Integrin-based adhesion has served as a model for studying the central role of adhesion in migration. In this article, we outline modes of migration, both integrin-dependent and -independent in vitro and in vivo. We next discuss the roles of adhesion contacts as signaling centers and linkages between the ECM and actin that allows adhesions to serve as traction sites. This includes signaling complexes that regulate migration and the interplay among adhesion, signaling, and pliability of the substratum. Finally, we address mechanisms of adhesion assembly and disassembly and the role of adhesion in cellular polarity.

Myosin IIA/IIB restrict adhesive and protrusive signaling to generate front-back polarity in migrating cells

Migratory front-back polarity emerges from the cooperative effect of myosin IIA (MIIA) and IIB (MIIB) on adhesive signaling. We demonstrate here that, during polarization, MIIA and MIIB coordinately promote localized actomyosin bundling, which generates large, stable adhesions that do not signal to Rac and thereby form the cell rear. MIIA formed dynamic actomyosin proto-bundles that mark the cell rear during spreading; it also bound to actin filament bundles associated with initial adhesion maturation in protrusions. Subsequent incorporation of MIIB stabilized the adhesions and actomyosin filaments with which it associated and formed a stable, extended rear. These adhesions did not turn over and no longer signal to Rac. Microtubules fine-tuned the polarity by positioning the front opposite the MIIA/MIIB-specified rear. Decreased Rac signaling in the vicinity of the MIIA/MIIB-stabilized proto-bundles and adhesions was accompanied by the loss of Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEFs), like βPIX and DOCK180, and by inhibited phosphorylation of key residues on adhesion proteins that recruit and activate Rac GEFs. These observations lead to a model for front-back polarity through local GEF depletion.

Nuclear mechanics during cell migration

During cell migration, the movement of the nucleus must be coordinated with the cytoskeletal dynamics at the leading edge and trailing end, and, as a result, undergoes complex changes in position and shape, which in turn affects cell polarity, shape, and migration efficiency. We here describe the steps of nuclear positioning and deformation during cell polarization and migration, focusing on migration through three-dimensional matrices. We discuss molecular components that govern nuclear shape and stiffness, and review how nuclear dynamics are connected to and controlled by the actin, tubulin and intermediate cytoskeleton-based migration machinery and how this regulation is altered in pathological conditions. Understanding the regulation of nuclear biomechanics has important implications for cell migration during tissue regeneration, immune defence and cancer.