In diverse developmental contexts, certain cells must migrate to fulfill their roles. Many questions remain unanswered about the genetic and physical properties that govern cell migration. While the simplest case of a single cell moving alone has been well-studied, additional complexities arise in considering how cohorts of cells move together. Significant differences exist between models of collectively migrating cells. We explore the experimental model of migratory border cell clusters in Drosophila melanogaster egg chambers, which are amenable to direct observation and precise genetic manipulations. This system involves two special characteristics that are worthy of attention: border cell clusters contain a limited number of both migratory and non-migratory cells that require coordination, and they navigate through a heterogeneous three-dimensional microenvironment. First, we review how clusters of motile border cells are specified and guided in their migration by chemical signals and the physical impact of adjacent tissue interactions. In the second part, we examine questions around the 3D structure of the motile cluster and surrounding microenvironment in understanding the limits to cluster size and speed of movement through the egg chamber. Mathematical models have identified sufficient gene regulatory networks for specification, the key forces that capture emergent behaviors observed in vivo, the minimal regulatory topologies for signaling, and the distribution of key signaling cues that direct cell behaviors. This interdisciplinary approach to studying border cells is likely to reveal governing principles that apply to different types of cell migration events.

中文翻译：

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群集的细胞迁移：对果蝇边缘细胞的模型系统进行建模。

在不同的发展背景下，某些细胞必须迁移才能发挥其作用。关于控制细胞迁移的遗传和物理特性，许多问题仍未得到解答。尽管已经研究了单个细胞单独移动的最简单情况，但是在考虑细胞群如何一起移动时会产生更多的复杂性。集体迁移的细胞模型之间存在显着差异。我们探索果蝇卵室中的迁移性边界细胞簇的实验模型，这些模型适合于直接观察和精确的遗传操作。该系统具有两个值得注意的特殊特征：边界细胞簇包含数量有限的需要协调的迁徙和非迁徙细胞，他们在一个异构的三维微环境中导航。首先，我们回顾了如何通过化学信号和邻近组织相互作用的物理影响来确定运动边界细胞的簇并在其迁移过程中对其进行引导。在第二部分中，我们研究了运动簇的3D结构和周围微环境周围的问题，以了解簇大小和通过卵室运动的速度的限制。数学模型已经确定了足够的基因调控网络用于规范，捕获体内观察到的紧急行为的关键力量，用于信号传导的最小调控拓扑以及指导细胞行为的关键信号线索的分布。