Chemical and Mechanical Signaling in Epithelial Spreading

We propose a minimal mathematical model to explain long-range coordination of dynamics of multiple cells in epithelial spreading, which may be induced, under different conditions, by a chemical signal, or mechanical stress, or both. The model is based on chemo-mechanical interactions including a chemical effect of stress and concentration-dependent traction. The results, showing kinase concentration distribution and cell displacement, allow us to reproduce two activation waves on different time scales observed in the experiment, and distinguish between distinct dynamical patterns observed under conditions of injury or unconstraining.