Cell-cell interactions and fluctuations in the direction of motility promote directed migration of osteoblasts in direct current electrotaxis

Abstract

Under both physiological (development, regeneration) and pathological conditions (cancer metastasis), cells migrate while sensing environmental cues in the form of mechanical, chemical or electrical stimuli. In the case of bone tissue, osteoblast migration is essential in bone regeneration. Although it is known that osteoblasts respond to exogenous electric fields, the underlying mechanism of electrotactic collective movement of human osteoblasts is unclear. Here, we present a computational model that describes the osteoblast cell migration in a direct current electric field as the motion of a collection of active self-propelled particles and takes into account fluctuations in the direction of single-cell migration, finite-range cell-cell interactions, and the interaction of a cell with the external electric field. By comparing this model with in vitro experiments in which human primary osteoblasts are exposed to a direct current electric field of different field strengths, we show that cell-cell interactions and fluctuations in the migration direction promote anode-directed collective migration of osteoblasts.

Electrowriting patterns and electric field harness directional cell migration for skin wound healing

“…Existing physical models that describe cell migration on different substrate topographies have various limitations, such as modeling cells simplistically [ 40 ], numerous training data needed [ 41 ], and only considering the substrate as a drag force provider, neglecting the effects of shapes [ 42 ]. Most models describe the cell as a charged sphere in an EF to analyze cell interactions with EF [ 43 , 44 ].…”

Noise in the direction of motion determines the spatial distribution and proliferation of migrating cell collectives

“…1G-iv. Contact-based modulation of cell velocity is known to play a role in the collective migration of electrically stimulated cells [20].…”

“…Given that cells are active particles that transduce stored energy into mechanical motion, an interesting question that arises is how the coordination between cell migration and * Corresponding author:amalmikakkada@augusta.edu proliferation influences the spatial organization of cell collectives. While cell growth, cell division, and cell migration are highly complex processes, involving a large network of intracellular signaling pathways [15], here we focus on the biophysical intercellular interactions that are known to play a key role in cell collective migration and proliferation [16][17][18][19][20].…”