Modulation of cellular polarization and migration by ephrin/Eph signal-mediated boundary formation

Integr Biol (Camb). 2017 Dec 11;9(12):934-946. doi: 10.1039/c7ib00176b.

Abstract

Compartment boundaries are essential for ensuring proper cell organization during embryo development and in adult tissues, yet the mechanisms underlying boundary establishment are not completely understood. A number of mechanisms, including (i) differential adhesion, (ii) differential tension, and (iii) cell signaling-mediated cell repulsion, are known to contribute and likely a context-dependent balance of each of these dictates boundary implementation. The ephrin/Eph signaling pathway is known to impact boundary formation in higher animals. In different contexts, ephrin/Eph signaling is known to modulate adhesive properties and migratory behavior of cells. Furthermore it has been proposed that ephrin/Eph signaling may modulate cellular tensile properties, leading to boundary implementation. It remains unclear however, whether, in different contexts, ephrin/Eph act through distinct dominant action modes (e.g. differential adhesion vs. cell repulsion), or whether ephrin/Eph signaling elicits multiple cellular changes simultaneously. Here, using micropatterning of cells over-expressing either EphB3 or ephrinB1, we assess the contribution of each these factors in one model. We show that in this system ephrinB1/EphB3-mediated boundaries are accompanied by modulation of tissue-level architecture and polarization of cell migration. These changes are associated with changes in cell shape and cytoskeletal organization also suggestive of altered cellular tension.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion*
  • Cell Count
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement*
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Ephrins / metabolism*
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology*
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Protein Binding
  • Retina / cytology*
  • Retina / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Actins
  • Ephrins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases