Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42182367›Full record

ArticlebioRxiv : the preprint server for biology2026

Quantitative analysis of fibroblast migration reveals migratory states characterized by force generation, cell shape and motion.

Elizabeth M Davis, Max A Hockenberry, Mitchell T Butler, Harrison H Truscott, Noah J Shaul, James E Bear, Timothy C Elston

Abstract readPreprint
In one paragraph

Article in bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology, 2026. 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

7 authors.

Elizabeth M DavisCurriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.ORCID 0009-0009-8554-4827
Max A HockenberryDepartment of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.ORCID 0000-0002-4558-0286
Mitchell T ButlerLineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.
Harrison H TruscottDepartment of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.ORCID 0009-0004-7045-980X
Noah J ShaulDepartment of Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.ORCID 0009-0001-9247-1250
James E BearDepartment of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.ORCID 0000-0002-8489-996X
Timothy C ElstonDepartment of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.ORCID 0000-0002-4601-2117

Funding

Systematic Analysis of the Actin Cytoskeleton and Directed Cell MigrationR35GM130312 · NIGMS · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · PI JAMES E BEAR · 2019 to 2026
$4.8M
Mathematical modeling of cellular signaling systemsR35GM127145 · NIGMS · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · PI Timothy C Elston · 2018 to 2026
$3.9M
NIGMS NIH HHS R35 GM127145NIGMS NIH HHS R35 GM130312
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Cell migration depends on coordinating cell shape changes with force generation, yet how these processes are integrated remains unclear. Here, we combine live-cell imaging with traction force microscopy and computational analysis to quantify cell morphology, motility and force generation in migrating fibroblasts. We find that traction force magnitudes display a multimodal distribution, suggesting discrete migratory regimes. Using a Hidden Markov Model, we identify distinct force states that exhibit differences in shape and motion metrics, and show that individual cells transition between force states over time. To test the role of cytoskeletal organization in establishing the identified states, we analyzed cells lacking

Indexed as

Cell motilitycell shape dynamicsHidden Markov modelsmigratory statestime series analysistraction force microscopy

Identifiers

PMID42182367
PMCPMC13192779

What OpenQuestion holds

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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.