Open Access

VIEWPOINT

Dancing to a somewhat different rhythm: Cell migration along the natural basement membrane

by SHELDON R. GORDON^*

Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 48309-4476, USA

* Corresponding Author: SHELDON R. GORDON. Email:

BIOCELL 2022, 46(9), 2059-2063. https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2022.019873

Received 21 October 2021; Accepted 20 January 2022; Issue published 18 May 2022

Abstract

Much of our understanding of the events which underlie cell migration has been derived from studies of cells in tissue culture. One of the components that mediates this process is the dynamic actin-based microfilament system that can reorganize itself into so-called stress fibers that are considered essential components for cell motility. In contrast, relatively few studies have investigated cell movement along an extracellular matrix (ECM) which is known to influence both cellular organization and behavior. This opinion/viewpoint article briefly reviews cell migration during corneal endothelial wound repair along the tissue’s natural basement membrane, Descemet’s membrane. Because the tissue exists as a cell monolayer it affords one an opportunity to readily explore the effect of cell/matrix influences on cell motility. As such, cell movement along this substrate differs somewhat from that found in vitro and migrating endothelial cells also demonstrate an ability to move along the ECM without the benefit of having an organized actin cytoskeleton.

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Keywords

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