Modelling chase-and-run migration in heterogeneous populations

Abstract

Cell migration is crucial for many physiological and pathological processes. During embryogenesis, neural crest cells undergo coordinated epithelial to mesenchymal transformations and migrate towards various forming organs. Here we develop a computational model to understand how mutual interactions between migrating neural crest cells (NCs) and the surrounding population of placode cells (PCs) generate coordinated migration. According to experimental findings, we implement a minimal set of hypotheses, based on a coupling between chemotactic movement of NCs in response to a placode-secreted chemoattractant (Sdf1) and repulsion induced from contact inhibition of locomotion (CIL), triggered by heterotypic NC-PC contacts. This basic set of assumptions is able to semi-quantitatively recapitulate experimental observations of the characteristic multispecies phenomenon of "chase-and-run", where the colony of NCs chases an evasive PC aggregate. The model further reproduces a number of in vitro manipulations, including full or partial disruption of NC chemotactic migration and selected mechanisms coordinating the CIL phenomenon. Finally, we provide various predictions based on altering other key components of the model mechanisms.

Insights Into the Early Gene Regulatory Network Controlling Neural Crest and Placode Fate Choices at the Neural Border

“…In addition, cranial NC cells interact with placodal cells, some of which also delaminate. This helps orient the direction of migration of both cell types (Freter et al, 2013;Theveneau et al, 2013;Colombi et al, 2020). The cellular mechanisms of NC migration have been extensively reviewed elsewhere (Mayor and Theveneau, 2013;Shellard and Mayor, 2019;Alkobtawi and Monsoro-Burq, 2020;Giniunaite et al, 2020;Piacentino et al, 2020;Thiery et al, 2020).…”

Variations in nonlocal interaction range lead to emergent chase-and-run in heterogeneous populations

“…Fully investigating this system would be an interesting avenue, which could be achieved through extending to include the explicit interactions and key molecular factors; this would offer a complementary approach for modelling this system, as previous approaches have been restricted to agent-based models (e.g. [31]). In ecology, the model described here could help in understanding the spatial arrangements of predators and prey on a landscape.…”

Leadership Through Influence: What Mechanisms Allow Leaders to Steer a Swarm?

“…Colombi et al. ( 2020 ), a complementary continuous approach may yield further insights. Finally, the model lends itself to studying decision-making, i.e.…”