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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.05.30.596676

Large-scale control over collective cell migration using light-controlled epidermal growth factor receptors

Suh, K.·Thornton, R. H.·Farahani, P. E.·Cohen, D. J.·Toettcher, J. E.
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Abstract

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are thought to play key roles in coordinating cell movement at single-cell and tissue scales. The recent development of optogenetic tools for controlling RTKs and their downstream signaling pathways suggested these responses may be amenable to engineering-based control for sculpting tissue shape and function. Here, we report that a light-controlled EGF receptor (OptoEGFR) can be deployed in epithelial cell lines for precise, programmable control of long-range tissue movements. We show that in OptoEGFR-expressing tissues, light can drive millimeter-scale cell rearrangements to densify interior regions or produce rapid outgrowth at tissue edges. Light-controlled tissue movements are driven primarily by PI 3-kinase signaling, rather than diffusible signals, tissue contractility, or ERK kinase signaling as seen in other RTK-driven migration contexts. Our study suggests that synthetic, light-controlled RTKs could serve as a powerful platform for controlling cell positions and densities for diverse applications including wound healing and tissue morphogenesis.

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Suh, K., Thornton, R. H., Farahani, P. E., Cohen, D. J., Toettcher, J. E.. 2024-05-31. Large-scale control over collective cell migration using light-controlled epidermal growth factor receptors. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.05.30.596676

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