[Adhesion molecules and cancer]

Cell adhesion: the effect of a surprising cohesive force

When an experimentalist or a biological mechanism applies an external force onto a cell chemically sticking to its substrate, a reacting "suction" force, due to the slow penetration of the surrounding fluid between the cell and the substrate, opposes to the dissociation. This force can overcome other known adhesive forces when the process is sufficiently violent (typically 10(5) pN ). Its maximal contribution to the total adhesive energy of the cell can then be estimated to 2 x 10(-3) J/m(2). The physical origin of this effect is quite simple and it may be compared to that leaning a "suction cup" against a bathroom wall. We address the consequences of this effect on (i) the separation energy, (ii) the motion of the fluid surrounding the cell, and more especially on the pumping of the fluid by moving cells, and (iii) the inhibition of cell motion.

Modeling cell interactions under flow

In this review, we summarize the current state of understanding of the processes by which leukocytes, and other cells, such as tumor cells interact with the endothelium under various blood flow conditions. It is shown that the interactions are influenced by cell-cell adhesion properties, shear stresses due to the flow field and can also be modified by the cells microrheological properties. Different adhesion proteins are known to be involved leading to particular mechanisms by which interactions take place during inflammation or metastasis. Cell rolling, spreading, migration are discussed, as well as the effect of flow conditions on these mechanisms, including microfluidic effects. Several mathematical models proposed in recent years capturing the essential features of such interaction mechanisms are reviewed. Finally, we present a recent model in which the adhesion is given by a kinetics theory based model and the cell itself is modeled as a viscoelastic drop. Qualitative agreement is found between the predictions of this model and in vitro experiments.