R. Allena^*,†

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.11, No.3, pp. 185-208, 2014, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2014.011.185

Abstract Confined migration is a crucial phenomenon during embryogenesis, immune response and cancer. Here, a two-dimensional finite element model of a HeLa cell migrating across constricted–curved micro-channels is proposed. The cell is modelled as a continuum with embedded cytoplasm and nucleus, which are described by standard Maxwell viscoelastic models. The decomposition of the deformation gradient is employed to define the cyclic active strains of protrusion and contraction, which are synchronized with the adhesion forces between the cell and the substrate. The micro-channels are represented by two rigid walls and exert an additional viscous force on the… More >

S.J. Mousavi^∗, M.H. Doweidar^∗,†, M. Doblaré^∗

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.10, No.1, pp. 1-25, 2013, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2013.010.001

Abstract Although there are several computational models that explain the trajectory that cells take during migration, till now little attention has been paid to the integration of the cell migration in a multi-signaling system. With that aim, a generalized model of cell migration and cell-cell interaction under multisignal environments is presented herein. In this work we investigate the spatio-temporal cell-cell interaction problem induced by mechano-chemo-thermotactic cues. It is assumed that formation of a new focal adhesion generates traction forces proportional to the stresses transmitted by the cell to the extracellular matrix. The cell velocity and polarization… More >

QINGXIN LIU^1§ , XIANGGUI CHEN^2§, GUOLIN YANG¹ , XUEWEN MIN³ , AND MAOXIAN DENG^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.35, No.3, pp. 71-80, 2011, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2011.35.071

Abstract Apigenin, a nonmutagenic flavonoid, has been shown to possess free radical scavenging activities, anticarcinogenic properties, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Recently, apigenin was reported to cause gastric relaxation in murine. To assess possible effects of apigenin on migration of bladder smooth muscle (SM) cell, we isolated SM cells from peri-cancer tissue of human bladder and established a cell model that was capable to overexpress transiently MEKK1 (MEK kinase 1). Results showed that overexpression of active human MEKK1 by adenoviruses infection induced migration of human bladder smooth muscle (hBSM) cells and phosphorylation of MAPKs, ERK, JNK and More >

LIPING ZHOU*, XIAOLIN GUO, JING BA, LIANSHUANG ZHA

BIOCELL, Vol.34, No.2, pp. 91-94, 2010, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2010.34.091

Abstract CXCL-12 and its receptor CXCR4 participate in breast cancer and melanoma cell metastasis to bone and lymphoid nodes. CD44, as a receptor for hyaluronic acid, is involved in lymphocyte recirculation, homing, adhesion and migration. But the role of CD44 in CXCL-12 induced leukemia cell migration still remains unclear. The present study showed that CXCL-12 stimulation induced the rapid internalization of CXCR4 and facilitated the formation of lamellipodia and uropod in acute leukemia cell line HL-60. CXCL12 also induced CD44 translocation into the uropod, while CD44 remained evenly distributed on the untreated cell membranes. Results suggest More >