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arXiv · 0807.3126

Pattern Formation of Glioma Cells: Effects of Adhesion

Evgeniy Khain·Casey M. Schneider-Mizell·Michal O. Nowicki·E. Antonio Chiocca·S. E. Lawler·Leonard M. Sander
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Abstract

We investigate clustering of malignant glioma cells. \emph{In vitro} experiments in collagen gels identified a cell line that formed clusters in a region of low cell density, whereas a very similar cell line (which lacks an important mutation) did not cluster significantly. We hypothesize that the mutation affects the strength of cell-cell adhesion. We investigate this effect in a new experiment, which follows the clustering dynamics of glioma cells on a surface. We interpret our results in terms of a stochastic model and identify two mechanisms of clustering. First, there is a critical value of the strength of adhesion; above the threshold, large clusters grow from a homogeneous suspension of cells; below it, the system remains homogeneous, similarly to the ordinary phase separation. Second, when cells form a cluster, we have evidence that they increase their proliferation rate. We have successfully reproduced the experimental findings and found that both mechanisms are crucial for cluster formation and growth.

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Evgeniy Khain, Casey M. Schneider-Mizell, Michal O. Nowicki, E. Antonio Chiocca, S. E. Lawler, Leonard M. Sander. 2008-07-19. Pattern Formation of Glioma Cells: Effects of Adhesion. https://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075/88/28006

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