An integrated 2D framework for quantifying cellular mechanics reveals the impact of juxtacrine Notch signalling on directed collective migration of endothelial cells.

Janine Grolleman, Carlijn V C Bouten, Vito Conte, Cecilia M Sahlgren

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in BMC biology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it

0cells of the map it votes in

0citing papers in PubMed

–field-weighted citation impact

1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Janine GrollemanDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612AE, The Netherlands.

Carlijn V C BoutenDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612AE, The Netherlands.

Vito Conte *Department of Biomedical Engineering, Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612AE, The Netherlands. v.conte@tue.nl.

Cecilia M Sahlgren *Department of Biomedical Engineering, Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612AE, The Netherlands. cecilia.sahlgren@abo.fi.

Funding

Åbo Akademi University Foundation's Centers of Bioelectronic Activation of Cell Functions BACEÅbo Akademi University Foundation's Centers of Excellence in Cellular Mechanostasis CellMechAcademy of Finland 307133European Research Council 771168netherlands organization of scientific research 024.003.013

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCollective migration is the coordinated movement of a group of cells-a fundamental process in health and disease. Many models have been developed to study the molecular and physical mechanisms of collective migration. However, the aim of this study is to engineer a flexible in vitro framework that allows for mechanobiological quantification of the separate and combined contributions of individual cell mechanics to the directed migration of a collective. We utilised this framework to understand the role of juxtacrine Notch signalling during collective endothelial migration-an essential process during the formation of new blood vessels (known as angiogenesis).

resultsThis framework enables users to perform high spatiotemporal analysis of migrative behaviour, cell-matrix traction forces, and intercellular forces in different microenvironments. With this framework, we show that Notch inhibited collectives adopt a distinct regime of directed collective migration. Whereas the directionality of migration, traction forces and intercellular forces are not affected by Notch inhibition, we observed spatiotemporal differences in migration speed, traction force magnitude and normal and shear stresses within Notch-inhibited collectives.

conclusionsThe in vitro framework is a powerful approach for dissecting the mechanisms of collective migration. With this framework, we show that a potential link exists between the juxtacrine signalling of Notch and an increased mechanical cohesiveness among collective cells.

Indexed as

Cell MovementEndothelial CellsReceptors, NotchSignal TransductionAnimalsBiomechanical PhenomenaHumansHuman Umbilical Vein Endothelial CellsModels, BiologicalReceptors, NotchCell–cell dynamicsCell–matrix dynamicsCollective endothelial migrationIn vitro frameworkJuxtacrine Notch signallingMigration kinematics

Identifiers

PMID41034913

DOI10.1186/s12915-025-02396-4

PMCPMC12486679

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata

LicenceCC BY

Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.