This paper studies a phenomenon called contact inhibition of locomotion, whereby fibroblast cells grown in cell culture retract their protrusions and change their direction on contact. It is shown that this occurs in vivo, and the molecular basis is revealed. Neural crest cells, highly migratory cells of embryonic origin, exhibit contact inhibition of locomotion both in vivo and in vitro, which accounts for their directional migration. However, when a neural crest cell meets another cell type, it fails to display contact inhibition of locomotion, allowing it to invade the tissue.
- Carlos Carmona-Fontaine
- Helen K. Matthews
- Roberto Mayor
