Active perception during angiogenesis: filopodia speed up Notch selection of tip cells in silico and in vivo
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Bahti Zakirov Georgios Charalambous Raphael Thuret Irene Aspalter Kelvin Van-Vuuren Thomas Mead Kyle Harrington Erzsébet Ravasz Regan Shane Paul Herbert Katie BentleyAbstract
How do cells make efficient collective decisions during tissue morphogenesis? Humans and other organisms use feedback between movement and sensing known as 'sensorimotor coordination' or 'active perception' to inform behaviour, but active perception has not before been investigated at a cellular level within organs. Here we provide the first proof of concept in silico/in vivo study demonstrating that filopodia (actin-rich, dynamic, finger-like cell membrane protrusions) play an unexpected role in speeding up collective endothelial decisions during the time-constrained process of 'tip cell' selection during blood vessel formation (angiogenesis). We first validate simulation predictions in vivo with live imaging of zebrafish intersegmental vessel growth. Further simulation studies then indicate the effect is due to the coupled positive feedback between movement and sensing on filopodia conferring a bistable switch-like property to Notch lateral inhibition, ensuring tip selection is a rapid and robust process. We then employ measures from computational neuroscience to assess whether filopodia function as a primitive (basal) form of active perception and find evidence in support. By viewing cell behaviour through the 'basal cognitive lens' we acquire a fresh perspective on the tip cell selection process, revealing a hidden, yet vital time-keeping role for filopodia. Finally, we discuss a myriad of new and exciting research directions stemming from our conceptual approach to interpreting cell behaviour. This article is part of the theme issue 'Basal cognition: multicellularity, neurons and the cognitive lens'.
Journal details
Volume 376
Issue number 1821
Pages 20190753
Available online
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Publisher website (DOI) 10.1098/rstb.2019.0753
Figshare View on figshare
Europe PubMed Central 33550953
Pubmed 33550953
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