Coherence of directional sensing, polarity, and motility in collective cell migration

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Chemotaxis is one of basic cellular functions to response to environment. We have studied multicellular effect on chemotaxis in slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. Migration behaviors during aggregation were analyzed quantitatively. It was found that cells harboring different Tgr proteins separate within a few minutes after contact, while cells harboring the same proteins migrated together. Cells surrounded by the same type moved faster and aligned polarities with others. Such coordinated behaviors were observed in only two cells isolated from aggregate. Taken together, self/non-self recognition via Tgr proteins modulates collective migration behavior. We also developed a microfluidics system to generate spatio-temporal chemoattractant field artificially. Using this system, we demonstrated cells were able to migrate directionally in such chemoattractant field.