A kinetic mechanism for cell sorting based on local variations in cell motility

Abstract

Our current understanding of cell sorting relies on physical difference, either in the interfacial properties or motile force, between cell types. But is such asymmetry a prerequisite for cell sorting? We test this using a minimal model in which the two cell populations are identical with respect to their physical properties and differences in motility arise solely from how cells interact with their surroundings. The model resembles the Schelling model used in social sciences to study segregation phenomena at the scale of societies. Our results demonstrate that segregation can emerge solely from cell motility being a dynamic property that changes in response to the local environment of the cell, but that additional mechanisms are necessary to reproduce the envelopment behaviour observed in vitro . The time course of segregation follows a power law, in agreement with the scaling reported from experiment and in other models of motility-driven segregation.

PhysiBoSS: a multi-scale agent based modelling framework integrating physical dimension and cell signalling

“…To validate our implementation, we verified that our framework reproduced the sorting behaviour explored in [58]. The results of this can be seen in Fig 2C where the test was limited to a purely mechanical-driven sorting, but having in mind that PhysiBoSS could be used to further explore cell sorting by taking into account cell proliferation and differences in motility, that have been seen to impact the sorting mode or efficiency [60].…”

Particle methods to solve modelling problems in wound healing and tumor growth

“…Examples, where the approach with Green's Fundamental Solutions has been used in the context of the immune system response in ischemic wounds and cancer, can be found in [51] and [52], respectively. Regarding the stochastic part in the migration of cells, one could use a uniform probability density where a cell is allowed not to move further than over a certain distance as it is done in [27,42,48]. Another possibility is to use a Wiener process, as has been presented here.…”

“…Besides the polarisation, the heterogeneities, which also enhance the migration of the cancer cells, are taken into account. Strandkvist et al [42] model cell sorting based on local variations in cell motility. The modelling approaches are similar to the those employed in [49], where contact forces are applied if cells approach each other by distances shorter than the equilibrium distance from hexagonal packing.…”

Sorting Things Out: Cell Sorting during Hydra Regeneration

“…First, referred to here as ''differential adhesivity'', is a variant of the classic differential adhesion hypothesis that reflects relative differences in cell-cell adhesion/interfacial tensions between different cell types that make specific cell-cell arrangements more energetically favorable (4,5). The second hypothesis is known as ''differential motility'', and reflects relative differences in the active motion of endodermal and ectodermal cells during sorting (6,7). Before now, there have been data to support both hypotheses in Hydra and other, related sorting systems (3).…”