A mathematical model of contact inhibition of locomotion: coupling contractility and focal adhesions

Cell migration is often accompanied by collisions with other cells, which can lead to cessation of movement, repolarization, and migration away from the contact site - a process termed contact inhibition of locomotion (CIL). During CIL, the coupling between actomyosin contractilityand cell-substrate adhesions is modified. However, mathematical models describing stochastic cell migration and collision outcomes as a result of the coupling remain elusive. Here, we extend our previously developed stochastic model of single cell migration to include CIL. Our simulation results explain, in terms of the modified contractility and adhesion dynamics, several experimentally observed findings regarding CIL. These include response modulation in the presence of an external cue and alterations of group migration in the absence of CIL. Together with our previous findings, our work is able to explain a wide range of observations about single and collective cell migration.