Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Referring to Figure 9.10(A) and (C), the comparison of cell migration of
either MMP-active and MMP-inactive individuals reveals that at high and
intermediate pore size and/or low matrix rigidity, the proteolytic machinery
does not appreciably affect cell motion. The loose fiber network does not
represent a significant obstacle for cell migration, which therefore is not en-
hanced further by MMP activity. In the case of small pores formed by rigid
collagenous fibers (lower right), MMP activity promotes instead appreciable
cell migration. This suggests that proteases, by degrading matrix fibers, are
able to break steric obstacles in the close proximity of moving individuals,
opening spaces for them to sample greater distances without turning back.
The role of MMP activity in cell migratory behavior captured by the model
is in good agreement with the experimental results provided in [322] for dermal
fibroblasts embedded in molecularly engineered polyethylene glycol (PEG) hy-
drogels, where a significant increment in the number of migrating individuals
was observed upon upregulation of proteolytic enzymes.
In conclusion, summarizing all the examined parameters, cell migration
is greatly influenced by a number of complex ECM- and cell-derived charac-
teristics that, in addition, display a number of interdependencies [146] and
together determine the net outcome on migration.
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