Collective cell migration in morphogenesis, regeneration and cancer

Abstract

Collective cell migration is defined as the coordinated movement of multiple cells that retain cell–cell contacts while coordinating their actin dynamics and intracellular signalling. Because the cells form a structural and functional unit, both active and passive cell translocation occur. The movement of connected cells contributes to morphogenesis, wound healing and cancer invasion and each process underlies homologous but distinct molecular mechanisms of cell–cell interaction and pro-migratory extracellular signalling. The concept of collective movement explains how the body forms and reshapes as well as how cancer cells destructively invade as a 'socially' organized mass.