ABSTRACT
The characteristic architecture of a tissue results from an interplay of many cellular processes. In addition to the secretion of extracellular matrix, we may distinguish between processes related to the cell cycle-cell growth, division, differentiation, and death-and processes related to cell motility-cell translocation, directed motile responses, associated movements, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. These processes are controlled and directed by cell-cell interactions, by cell-matrix interactions, and by cellular interactions with the fluid phase of the tissue. It is known that all three types of interactions can control both the speed and direction of cell translocation. This control results in the directed motile responses, which are the main subject of this chapter. Learning how to manipulate these motile responses experimentally will eventually become an essential aspect of tissue engineering.
