Migration de cellules virtuelles déformables : Modélisation biomécanique multi-agent de la migration cellulaire

National audienceWe present an integrative model for simulating the migration of deformable virtual cells over an anisotropic substrate exhibiting an adhesion gradient. We implemented an original multi-agent based model, which enables to analyse the influence of cell-substrate mechanical interactions on cell motility. The deformations and displacements of the cells are determined both by the adhesion forces that come into play during migration and by the recruitment of transmembrane receptors. In agreement with experimental data, we specifically showed that cell migration speed varies nonlinearly with substrate bonds concentration. We furthermore analysed the influence of different regulation mechanisms of receptors clustering onto increased cell motility