Multiple scale model for cell migration in monolayers: Elastic mismatch between cells enhances motility

We propose multiscale phase-field and sharp-interface models for a monolayer of motile cells that comprise normal and cancer cells. The two types of cells have identical properties except for their elasticity; cancer cells are softer and normal cells are stiffer. Simulation results demonstrate that elasticity mismatch alone is sufficient to increase the motility of the cancer cell significantly. Further, the trajectory of the cancer cell is decorated by several speed “bursts” where the cancer cell quickly relaxes from a largely deformed shape and consequently increases its translational motion. The increased motility and the amplitude and frequency of the bursts are in qualitative agreement with recent experiments. The computational efficiency of the sharp-interface model allows us to investigate the nature of the cell distribution functions.