Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Barbara.
Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Barbara.
Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2023 Apr;81:102160. doi: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102160. Epub 2023 Apr 3.
Collective cell migrations drive morphogenesis, wound healing, and cancer dissemination. Cells located at the front are considered leaders while those behind them are defined topologically as followers. Leader cell behaviors, including chemotaxis and their coupling to followers, have been well-studied and reviewed. However, the contributions of follower cells to collective cell migration represent an emerging area of interest. In this perspective, we highlight recent research into the broadening array of follower cell behaviors found in moving collectives. We describe examples of follower cells that possess cryptic leadership potential and followers that lack that potential but contribute in diverse and sometimes surprising ways to collective movement, even steering from behind. We highlight collectives in which all cells both lead and follow, and a few passive passengers. The molecular mechanisms controlling follower cell function and behavior are just emerging and represent an exciting frontier in collective cell migration research.
群体细胞迁移驱动形态发生、创伤愈合和癌症扩散。位于前沿的细胞被认为是领导者，而位于其后的细胞在拓扑上被定义为追随者。领导者细胞的行为，包括趋化性及其与追随者的偶联，已经得到了很好的研究和综述。然而，追随者细胞对群体细胞迁移的贡献代表了一个新兴的研究领域。在这篇观点文章中，我们强调了最近对移动群体中发现的广泛的追随者细胞行为的研究。我们描述了一些拥有潜在领导能力的追随者细胞的例子，以及一些缺乏这种潜力但以各种不同且有时令人惊讶的方式为群体运动做出贡献的追随者细胞，甚至还能从后面引导。我们还强调了所有细胞都既是领导者又是追随者的群体，以及少数的被动乘客。控制追随者细胞功能和行为的分子机制刚刚出现，代表了群体细胞迁移研究的一个令人兴奋的前沿领域。
