Motivation
Cell migration is crucial for processes like development, wound healing, and cancer. However, the key mechanisms behind cell migration in three-dimensional fiber networks are not well understood. This is mainly due to limitations in experimental studies, which make it challenging to control individual parameters, thereby hindering hypothesis validation.
Methods
To overcome this limitation of experimental studies, we developed a computational model where cells and extracellular matrix fibers are represented by discrete mechanical objects on the micrometer scale. In doing so, we have exact control of the mechanisms by which cells and matrix fibers interact with each other.
Results
We identified two key mechanisms for cell migration: a specific type of bond between cells and extracellular matrix and active cellular contraction. These two mechanisms are sufficient to reproduce experimentally observed cell migration patterns including a biphasic relation between migration efficiency and matrix stiffness and durotaxis – the cell’s preference to migrate towards stiffer regions.