Models of Galvanotaxis: Coupling Cell Migration and Shape*

During wound healing, keratocyte cells undergo galvanotaxis where they follow a wound-induced electric field (EF). In addition to their directed motion, keratocytes can also exhibit oscillatory and circular motion. We developed a coarse-grained phenomenological model that qualitatively captures these keratocyte behaviors and fits experimental data on response to a field being turned on. A critical element of our model is a tendency for cells to turn toward their long axis, arising from a coupling between cell shape and velocity, which gives rise to oscillatory and circular motion. The parameters that most affect galvanotaxis are cell speed, cell shape relaxation rate, and rate of polarization to the field. When the cell reacts to an EF being turned on, our model predicts that stiff, slow cells react slowly but follow the signal more reliably. Cells that polarize and align to the field at a faster rate react more quickly and follow the signal more reliably. When cells are exposed to a field that switches direction rapidly, cells follow the average of field directions, while if the field is switched more slowly, cells follow a “staircase” pattern.

IN acknowledges funding from NIH Grant Program in Molecular Biophysics 5T32GM135131.