Simulation of melanoblast displacements reveals new features of developmental migration

Laurent, P., Petit, V., Aktary, Z., Gallagher, S., Tweedy, L., Machesky, L. and Larue, L. (2018) Simulation of melanoblast displacements reveals new features of developmental migration. Development, 145(12), dev160200. (doi: 10.1242/dev.160200) (PMID:29769218) (PMCID:PMC6031402)

Abstract

To distribute and establish the melanocyte lineage throughout the skin and other developing organs, melanoblasts undergo several rounds of proliferation, accompanied by migration through complex environments and differentiation. Melanoblast migration requires interaction with extracellular matrix of the epidermal basement membrane and with surrounding keratinocytes in the developing skin. Migration has been characterized by measuring speed, trajectory and directionality of movement, but there are many unanswered questions about what motivates and defines melanoblast migration. Here, we established a general mathematical model to simulate the movement of melanoblasts in the epidermis based on biological data, assumptions and hypotheses. Comparisons between experimental data and computer simulations reinforce some biological assumptions and suggest new ideas for how melanoblasts and keratinocytes might influence each other duyring development. For instance, it appears that melanoblasts instruct each other to allow a homogeneous distribution in the tissue and that keratinocytes may attract melanoblasts until one is stably attached to them. Our model reveals new features of how melanoblasts move, and in particular, suggest that melanoblasts leave a repulsive trail behind them as they move through the skin.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the Ligue Contre le Cancer - comitéde l’Oise, INCa, ITMO Cancer, and is under the program ‘Investissements d’Avenir’ launched by the French Government and implemented by ANR Labex CelTisPhyBio (ANR-11-LBX0038 and ANR-10-IDEX-0001-02 PSL). L.M. is funded by a core grant from Cancer Research UK (A15673).
• Keywords: Memory, migration, mouse, trajectories.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Machesky, Professor Laura
• Authors: Laurent, P., Petit, V., Aktary, Z., Gallagher, S., Tweedy, L., Machesky, L., and Larue, L.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Development
• Publisher: Company of Biologists
• ISSN: 0950-1991
• ISSN (Online): 1477-9129
• Published Online: 16 May 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 The Company of Biologists Ltd
• First Published: First published in Development 145(12): dev160200
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License