Constriction imposed by basement membrane regulates developmental cell migration

• Published in: PLoS biology Vol. 21; no. 6; p. e3002172
• Main Authors: Molina López, Ester, Kabanova, Anna, Winkel, Alexander, Franze, Kristian, Palacios, Isabel M, Martín-Bermudo, María D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 28.06.2023
• Subjects: Basement membranes; Basements; Biology and Life Sciences; Cell adhesion & migration; Cell migration; Collagen; Collagen (type IV); Composite materials; Engineering and Technology; Extracellular matrix; Glycoproteins; Heparan sulfate; Insects; Mechanical properties; Membranes; Microscopy; Morphogenesis; Nurse cells; Ovaries; Physical Sciences; Research and Analysis Methods; Stiffness
• ISSN: 1545-7885; 1544-9173; 1545-7885
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002172

The basement membrane (BM) is a specialized extracellular matrix (ECM), which underlies or encases developing tissues. Mechanical properties of encasing BMs have been shown to profoundly influence the shaping of associated tissues. Here, we use the migration of the border cells (BCs) of the Drosophila egg chamber to unravel a new role of encasing BMs in cell migration. BCs move between a group of cells, the nurse cells (NCs), that are enclosed by a monolayer of follicle cells (FCs), which is, in turn, surrounded by a BM, the follicle BM. We show that increasing or reducing the stiffness of the follicle BM, by altering laminins or type IV collagen levels, conversely affects BC migration speed and alters migration mode and dynamics. Follicle BM stiffness also controls pairwise NC and FC cortical tension. We propose that constraints imposed by the follicle BM influence NC and FC cortical tension, which, in turn, regulate BC migration. Encasing BMs emerge as key players in the regulation of collective cell migration during morphogenesis.