Abstract

We present a continuum model of unconstrained epithelial spreading. The tissue is described as a polarizable and chemo-mechanically interacting layer with neo-Hookean elasticity. Our model reproduces the spontaneous formation of finger-like protrusions commonly observed in experiment. Statistics of velocity orientation obtained from numerical simulation show strong alignment in the fingers opposed to an isotropic distribution in the bulk, as has been measured by Reffay et al. (Reffay et al., Biophysical Journal, 2011). The results faithfully reproduce faster relative advance of cells close to the leading edge of the tissue, as well as spatial velocity correlations and stress accumulation within the tissue, which proceeds in form of a “mechanical wave”, traveling from the wound edge inwards (cf. Serra-Picamal et al., Nature Physics, 2012).

M H Koepf, L M Pismen: A continuum model of epithelial spreading (2013) submitted

M H Koepf, L M Pismen: Non-equilibrium patterns in polarizable active layers (2013) submitted

Co-author: Leonid M. Pismen (Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, 32000 Haifa, Israel)