Collective cell migration in electric fields*

Fish keratocyte cells migrate rapidly and persistently. Electric field is directionl cue
that guides the cell migration in wound healing and development. Individual cell migrate
to cathode, but if PI3 kinase is inhibited, cell reorient and crawl to anode. Surprisingly,
while cohesive cell groups migrate to cathode, PI3K-inhibited cell groups also migrate to
cathode. Using PIV to measure local cell velocities within the groups and imaging migrating
groups of complex shape suppotrs a simple conceptual model that sheds light on these surprising
properties of the directional sensing in collective cell migration. According to this model,
cells at the periphery and interior of the cohesive group have different directional
sensing and motile properties.