Abstract
The mechanism of cell movement in a channel or in three dimensions does not seem to involve specific adhesions but much weaker adhesions or frictions. The mechanism that has been proposed is based on the existence of a difference in activity between the front and back of the cell. The activity gradient creates a cortical flow, and it is the friction of actin on the external environment due to the cortical flow that induces cell movement. This mechanism has been described theoretically by several authors (G. Salbreux, R. Voituriez, M. Hawkins, etc.) and described quite precisely in experiments on cancer cells or immune system cells.
An even more subtle mechanism has been proposed by Voituriez and colleagues, which allows cell movement in a channel in the absence of friction if the channel surface is rough.
