The Dynamic Model of the Active-Inactive Cell Interface

Objective To explore the morphodynamics of the active-inactive cell monolayer interfaces by using the active liquid crystal model.

Methods A continuum mechanical model was established based on the active liquid crystal theory and the active-inactive cell monolayer interfaces were established by setting the activity difference of cell monolayers. The theoretical equations were solved numerically by the finite difference and the lattice Boltzmann method.

Results The active-inactive cell interfaces displayed three typical morphologies, namely, flat interface, wavy interface, and finger-like interface. On the flat interfaces, the cells were oriented perpendicular to the interface, the −1/2 topological defects were clustered in the interfaces, and the interfaces were negatively charged. On the wavy interfaces, cells showed no obvious preference for orientation at the interfaces and the interfaces were neutrally charged. On the finger-like interfaces, cells were tangentially oriented at the interfaces, the +1/2 topological defects were collected at the interfaces, driving the growth of the finger-like structures, and the interfaces were positively charged.

Conclusion The orientation of the cell alignment at the interface can significantly affect the morphologies of the active-inactive cell monolayer interfaces, which is closely associated with the dynamics of topological defects at the interfaces.