Tensotaxis--a collective movement of embryonic cells up along the gradients of mechanical tensions]

We have examined the active collective movement of ectodermal cells from early gastrula of Xenopus laevis towards the point source of stretching, using techniques of videomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. We define this mode of cell movement as tensotaxis. This movement begins near the source of tension 5-10 min after the beginning of stretching and is spread in a relay fashion to more distant cells. As a result, a considerable fraction of observed cells more towards the source of stretching over a considerable territory at a rate of 0.6-3 mu/min. Subsequently, these movements are replaced by cell intercalation roughly oriented in the direction transverse to that of tissue stretching. It is proposed that tensotaxis is initiated by asymmetric deformation of the embryonic tissue due to the concentration (focusing) of a stretching force and contains both passive and active components. Data are presented supporting the view that, during normal development, tensotaxis may determine the movement of embryonic cells towards the blastopore and can also participate in other morphogenetic processes.