Curvotaxis directs cell migration through cell-scale curvature landscapes

Laurent Pieuchot (), Julie Marteau, Alain Guignandon, Thomas Dos Santos, Isabelle Brigaud, Pierre-François Chauvy, Thomas Cloatre, Arnaud Ponche, Tatiana Petithory, Pablo Rougerie, Maxime Vassaux, Jean-Louis Milan, Nayana Tusamda Wakhloo, Arnaud Spangenberg, Maxence Bigerelle and Karine Anselme
Additional contact information
Laurent Pieuchot: UMR 7361
Julie Marteau: UMR-CNRS 8201
Alain Guignandon: SAINBIOSE U1059
Thomas Dos Santos: UMR 7361
Isabelle Brigaud: UMR 7361
Pierre-François Chauvy: Côtes-de-Montbenon 30
Thomas Cloatre: UMR 7361
Arnaud Ponche: UMR 7361
Tatiana Petithory: UMR 7361
Pablo Rougerie: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Maxime Vassaux: Inst Movement Sci
Jean-Louis Milan: Inst Movement Sci
Nayana Tusamda Wakhloo: UMR 7361
Arnaud Spangenberg: UMR 7361
Maxence Bigerelle: UMR-CNRS 8201
Karine Anselme: UMR 7361

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Cells have evolved multiple mechanisms to apprehend and adapt finely to their environment. Here we report a new cellular ability, which we term “curvotaxis” that enables the cells to respond to cell-scale curvature variations, a ubiquitous trait of cellular biotopes. We develop ultra-smooth sinusoidal surfaces presenting modulations of curvature in all directions, and monitor cell behavior on these topographic landscapes. We show that adherent cells avoid convex regions during their migration and position themselves in concave valleys. Live imaging combined with functional analysis shows that curvotaxis relies on a dynamic interplay between the nucleus and the cytoskeleton—the nucleus acting as a mechanical sensor that leads the migrating cell toward concave curvatures. Further analyses show that substratum curvature affects focal adhesions organization and dynamics, nuclear shape, and gene expression. Altogether, this work identifies curvotaxis as a new cellular guiding mechanism and promotes cell-scale curvature as an essential physical cue.

Date: 2018
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-06494-6

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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06494-6

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