Collective migration during a gap closure in a two-dimensional haptotactic model

The ability of cells to respond to substrate-bound protein gradients is crucial for many physiological processes, such as immune response, neurogenesis and cancer cell migration. Here we use a photopatterning technique to create well-controlled circular, square and linear fibronectin (FN) gradients on two-dimensional (2D) culture substrates, to understand collective cell migration in response to haptotaxis. Our findings provide a better understanding of the wound healing process over protein gradients, which are reminiscent of haptotaxis. …