Emergent multi-cellular network structures due to mechanical interactions

Cells probe their local environment by exerting forces on elastic extracellular substrates. Due to mechanical interactions that arise from mutual deformations of the substrate, neighboring cells may align into elongated structures such as chains and rings. The formation of rings of cells are the basis of biological structures such as blood vessels. Using an agent-based model of adherent elastically interacting cells, we explore structure formation in multicellular assemblies on a soft substrate by using quantitative metrics such as percolation, number of junctions, branch length, and orientational order to make structure predictions as a function of mechanical characteristics including compressibility and rigidity. Combining these elastically interacting cells with self-propulsion constitutes a new type of active matter. Unlike traditional active particles, cells can self-regulate behavior based on environmental factors, such as neighboring cell proximity and prestrain, thus exhibiting adaptive motility. Applications of our work include tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.