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Phase-field modeling of border cell cluster migration in Drosophila

Fig 10

Comparison of chemotactic and tangential interface migration (TIM) forces under weak chemoattractant gradients.

(a–c) Time evolution of border cell cluster migration driven by the classical chemotactic force F_chem under a shallow chemoattractant gradient, shown at t = 0, t = 340, and t = 800. As the cluster enters regions where the gradient magnitude is reduced, the chemotactic force weakens and the cluster stalls midway through the egg chamber, failing to reach the oocyte. (d–f) Corresponding snapshots for migration driven by the tangential interface migration (TIM) force F_TIM under the same shallow-gradient conditions and at the same time points. Despite the shallow chemoattractant profile, the cluster maintains directed motion and successfully completes migration to the oocyte. TIM-generated traction is localized to border cell–nurse cell interfaces and depends on receptor activation and interfacial contact rather than on the magnitude of the gradient, allowing migration to proceed when classical chemotaxis fails.

doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1014176.g010