Mechanisms of leading edge protrusion in interstitial migration

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3896
• Publication Date: 2013-12-05T10:16:16Z
• Authors: Kerry Wilson; Alexandre Lewalle; Marco Fritzsche; Richard Thorogate; Tom Duke; Guillaume Charras
• Keywords: Slab

While the molecular and biophysical mechanisms underlying cell protrusion on two-dimensional substrates are well understood, our knowledge of actin structures driving in three-dimensional environments is poor, despite relevance to inflammation, development cancer. Here we report that, during chemotactic migration through microchannels with 5 μm × cross-sections, HL60 neutrophil-like cells assemble an actin-rich slab filling whole channel cross-section at their front. This leading edge comprises two distinct F-actin networks: adherent network that polymerizes perpendicular cell-wall interfaces a 'free' grows from free membrane Each polymerized by nucleator and, due geometrical arrangement, networks interact mechanically. On basis experimental data, propose interstitial migration, medial growth compresses preventing its retrograde movement enabling new polymerization be converted into forward protrusion.