Dancing to a somewhat different rhythm: Cell migration along thenatural basement membrane

Much of our understanding of the events which underlie cell migration has been derived from studies of cells intissue culture. One of the components that mediates this process is the dynamic actin-based microfilament system that canreorganize itself into so-called stress fibers that are considered essential components for cell motility. In contrast, relativelyfew studies have investigated cell movement along an extracellular matrix (ECM) which is known to influence both cellularorganization and behavior. This opinion/viewpoint article briefly reviews cell migration during corneal endothelial woundrepair along the tissue’s natural basement membrane, Descemet’s membrane. Because the tissue exists as a cell monolayer itaffords one an opportunity to readily explore the effect of cell/matrix influences on cell motility. As such, cell movementalong this substrate differs somewhat from that found in vitro and migrating endothelial cells also demonstrate an abilityto move along the ECM without the benefit of having an organized actin cytoskeleton.