Tumor invasion optimization by mesenchymal-amoeboid heterogeneity

Inbal Hecht*, Yasmin Bar-El, Frederic Balmer, Sari Natan, Ilan Tsarfaty, Frank Schweitzer, Eshel Ben-Jacob

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Metastasizing tumor cells migrate through the surrounding tissue and extracellular matrix toward the blood vessels, in order to colonize distant organs. They typically move in a dense environment, filled with other cells. In this work we study cooperative effects between neighboring cells of different types, migrating in a maze-like environment with directional cue. Using a computerized model, we measure the percentage of cells that arrive to the defined target, for different mesenchymal/amoeboid ratios. Wall degradation of mesenchymal cells, as well as motility of both types of cells, are coupled to metabolic energy-like resource level. We find that indirect cooperation emerges in mid-level energy, as mesenchymal cells create paths that are used by amoeboids. Therefore, we expect to see a small population of mesenchymals kept in a mostly-amoeboid population. We also study different forms of direct interaction between the cells, and show that energy-dependent interaction strength is optimal for the migration of both mesenchymals and amoeboids. The obtained characteristics of cellular cluster size are in agreement with experimental results. We therefore predict that hybrid states, e.g. epithelial-mesenchymal, should be utilized as a stress-response mechanism.

Original languageEnglish
Article number10622
JournalScientific Reports
Volume5
DOIs
StatePublished - 27 May 2015

Funding

FundersFunder number
7th European Community Framework Programme
Tauber Family Foundation
US - Israel Binational Science Foundation
National Science Foundation1427654, NSF PHY-1308264
Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences1308264
Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas
Rice University
Tel Aviv University

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