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In this study, Saccilotto et al. investigated the molecular connection between proangiogenic signals and downstream gene expression during angiogenesis. By characterizing a Dll4 enhancer directing expression to endothelial cells at the angiogenic front, the authors identified MEF2 transcription factors as crucial regulators of sprouting angiogenesis directly downstream from VEGFA.

How do cells make efficient collective decisions during tissue morphogenesis? Humans and other organisms utilize feedback between movement and sensing known as ‘sensorimotor coordination’ or ‘active perception’ to inform behaviour, but active perception has not before been investigated at a cellular level within organs. Here we provide the first proof of concept in silico/in vivo study demonstrating that filopodia (actin-rich, dynamic, finger like cell-membrane protrusions) play an unexpected role in speeding up collective endothelial decisions during the time-constrained process of ‘tip cell’ selection during blood vessel formation (angiogenesis).We first validate simulation predictions in vivo with live imaging of zebrafish intersegmental vessel growth. Further simulation studies then indicate the effect is due to the coupled positive feedback between movement and sensing on filopodia conferring a bistable switch-like property to Notch lateral inhibition, ensuring tip selection is a rapid and robust process. We then employ measures from computational neuroscience to assess whether filopodia function as a primitive (‘basal’) form of active perception and find evidence in support. By viewing cell behaviour in tissues through the ‘basal cognitive lens’ we acquire a fresh perspective on not only the well-studied tip cell selection process, revealing a hidden, yet vital, time-keeping role for filopodia, but on how to interpret and understand cell behaviour in general, opening up a myriad of new and exciting research directions.

Polarised targeting of diverse mRNAs to cellular protrusions is a hallmark of cell migration. Although a widespread phenomenon, definitive functions for endogenous targeted mRNAs and their relevance to modulation of in vivo tissue dynamics remain elusive. Here, using single‐molecule analysis, gene editing and zebrafish live‐cell imaging, we report that mRNA polarisation acts as a molecular compass that orients motile cell polarity and spatially directs tissue movement. Clustering of protrusion‐derived RNAseq datasets defined a core 192‐nt localisation element underpinning precise mRNA targeting to sites of filopodia formation. Such targeting of the small GTPase RAB13 generated tight spatial coupling of mRNA localisation, translation and protein activity, achieving precise subcellular compartmentalisation of RAB13 protein function to create a polarised domain of filopodia extension. Consequently, genomic excision of this localisation element and perturbation of RAB13 mRNA targeting—but not translation—depolarised filopodia dynamics in motile endothelial cells and induced mispatterning of blood vessels in zebrafish. Hence, mRNA polarisation, not expression, is the primary determinant of the site of RAB13 action, preventing ectopic functionality at inappropriate subcellular loci and orienting tissue morphogenesis., A localisation element in its 3′UTR targets RAB13 mRNA to nascent filopodia in migrating cells, directing local mRNA translation, filopodia extension, and tissue morphogenesis in vivo.

Cell migration is a fundamental biological process involved in tissue formation and homeostasis. The correct polarization of motile cells is critical to ensure directed movement, and is orchestrated by many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Of these, the subcellular distribution of mRNAs and the consequent spatial control of translation are key modulators of cell polarity. mRNA transport is dependent on cis-regulatory elements within transcripts, which are recognized by trans-acting proteins that ensure the efficient delivery of certain messages to the leading edge of migrating cells. At their destination, translation of localized mRNAs then participates in regional cellular responses underlying cell motility. In this review, we summarize the key findings that established mRNA targetting as a critical driver of cell migration and how the characterization of polarized mRNAs in motile cells has been expanded from just a few species to hundreds of transcripts. We also describe the molecular control of mRNA trafficking, subsequent mechanisms of local protein synthesis and how these ultimately regulate cell polarity during migration.

How do cells make efficient collective decisions during tissue morphogenesis? Humans and other organisms use feedback between movement and sensing known as ‘sensorimotor coordination’ or ‘active perception’ to inform behaviour, but active perception has not before been investigated at a cellular level within organs. Here we provide the first proof of concept in silico / in vivo study demonstrating that filopodia (actin-rich, dynamic, finger-like cell membrane protrusions) play an unexpected role in speeding up collective endothelial decisions during the time-constrained process of ‘tip cell’ selection during blood vessel formation (angiogenesis). We first validate simulation predictions in vivo with live imaging of zebrafish intersegmental vessel growth. Further simulation studies then indicate the effect is due to the coupled positive feedback between movement and sensing on filopodia conferring a bistable switch-like property to Notch lateral inhibition, ensuring tip selection is a rapid and robust process. We then employ measures from computational neuroscience to assess whether filopodia function as a primitive (basal) form of active perception and find evidence in support. By viewing cell behaviour through the ‘basal cognitive lens' we acquire a fresh perspective on the tip cell selection process, revealing a hidden, yet vital time-keeping role for filopodia. Finally, we discuss a myriad of new and exciting research directions stemming from our conceptual approach to interpreting cell behaviour. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Basal cognition: multicellularity, neurons and the cognitive lens’.

The asymmetric division of stem or progenitor cells generates daughters with distinct fates and regulates cell diversity during tissue morphogenesis. However, roles for asymmetric division in other more dynamic morphogenetic processes, such as cell migration, have not previously been described. Here we combine zebrafish in vivo experimental and computational approaches to reveal that heterogeneity introduced by asymmetric division generates multicellular polarity that drives coordinated collective cell migration in angiogenesis. We find that asymmetric positioning of the mitotic spindle during endothelial tip cell division generates daughters of distinct size with discrete 'tip' or 'stalk' thresholds of pro-migratory Vegfr signalling. Consequently, post-mitotic Vegfr asymmetry drives Dll4/Notch-independent self-organization of daughters into leading tip or trailing stalk cells, and disruption of asymmetry randomizes daughter tip/stalk selection. Thus, asymmetric division seamlessly integrates cell proliferation with collective migration, and, as such, may facilitate growth of other collectively migrating tissues during development, regeneration and cancer invasion.

Polarised targeting of diverse mRNAs to motile cellular protrusions is a hallmark of cell migration1–3. Although a widespread phenomenon, definitive functions for endogenous targeted mRNAs and their relevance to modulation of in-vivo tissue dynamics remain elusive. Here, using single-molecule analysis, endogenous gene-edited mRNAs and zebrafish in-vivo live-cell imaging, we report that mRNA polarisation acts as a molecular compass that orients motile cell polarity and spatially directs tissue movement. Clustering of protrusion-derived RNAseq datasets defined a core 192 bp localisation element underpinning precise mRNA targeting to incipient sites of filopodia formation at cell protrusions. Such targeting of the small GTPase, RAB13, generated tight spatial coupling of mRNA localisation, translation and protein activity, achieving precise subcellular compartmentalisation of RAB13 protein function to create a polarised domain of filopodia extension. Consequently, genomic excision of this localisation element and specific perturbation of endogenous RAB13 targeting – but not translation – depolarised filopodial dynamics in motile endothelial cells and induced miss-patterning of nascent blood vessels in-vivo. Hence, mRNA polarisation, not expression, is the primary spatial determinant of the site of RAB13 action, preventing ectopic functionality at inappropriate subcellular loci and orienting tissue morphogenesis. Considering the unexpected spatial diversity of other polarised mRNA clusters we identified, mRNA-mediated compartmentalisation of protein function at distinct subcellular sites likely coordinates broad aspects of in-vivo tissue behaviour.

SUMMARYBlood vessel formation by angiogenesis is critical for tissue development, homeostasis and repair, and is frequently dysregulated in disease[1–3]. Angiogenesis is triggered by vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2/3 (VEGFR) signalling, which induces motile endothelial cell (ECs) tip identity[4,5]. Tip cells lead new branching vessels, but also coordinate collective EC movement by repressing tip identity in adjacent ECs via Delta-Like 4 (DLL4)-Notch-mediated down-regulation of VEGFR activity[6–13]. Hence, angiogenesis is driven by lateral inhibition-mediated competition of ECs for migratory status. Recent work reveals that temporal modulation of this DLL4-Notch-mediated lateral inhibition circuit fundamentally shapes both normal and pathological angiogenesis[14–17]. However, the core regulatory network defining the timing and dynamics of EC decision-making is unclear. Here, by integrating computational modeling with in-vivo experimentation, we uncover a unique ultrasensitive switch that temporally defines EC lateral inhibition and ultimately determines the timing, magnitude and robustness of angiogenic responses. We reveal that positive-feedback to Vegfr via the atypical tetraspanin, tm4sf18, amplifies Vegfr activity and expedites EC decision-making in-vivo. Moreover, this Tm4sf18-mediated positive-feedback confers robustness to angiogenesis against changeable environmental conditions by invoking bistable-like behavior. Consequently, mutation of tm4sf18 in zebrafish delays motile EC selection, generates hypoplastic vessels, sensitizes ECs to fluctuations in pro-angiogenic signal and disrupts angiogenesis. We propose that positive-feedback transforms the normally protracted process of lateral inhibition into a quick, adaptive and robust decision-making mechanism, suggestive of a general framework for temporal modulation of cell fate specification in development and disease.

Collective cell migration requires groups of cells to establish a hierarchy of cellular identities that coordinates their movement. During new blood vessel branching by angiogenesis, this takes the form of a single endothelial “tip cell” that leads nascent vessels and is followed by endothelial “stalk cells”. Tip cells are highly motile and navigate sprouting vessels by sensing chemotactic stimuli such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In contrast, stalk cells are less motile and form the trunk of developing vessels. As new vessels grow, migrating endothelial cells must also proliferate which presents tip cells with a problem, as each daughter cell must acquire a different migratory profile dependent on their resultant position. The more distal daughter takes on tip cell identity, while the more proximal daughter becomes the trailing stalk cell. Rapid re-establishment of this leader-follower hierarchy is critical to ensuring collective cell migration is not disrupted during proliferative growth, but how this occurs is unclear.