Link to DOI – https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1012392
Cell migration modes can vary, depending on a number of environmental and intracellular factors. The high motility of the pathogenic amoeba Entamoeba histolytica is a decisive factor in its ability to cross the human colonic barrier. We used quantitative live imaging techniques to study the migration of this parasite on fibronectin, a key tissue component. Entamoeba histolytica amoebae on fibronectin contain abundant podosome-like structures. By using a laminar flow chamber, we determined that the adhesion forces generated on fibronectin were twice those on non-coated glass. When migrating on fibronectin, elongated amoeboid cells converted into fan-shaped cells characterized by the presence of a dorsal column of F-actin and a broad cytoplasmic extension at the front. The fan shape depended on the Arp2/3 complex, and the amoebae moved laterally and more slowly. Intracellular measurements of physical variables related to fluid dynamics revealed that cytoplasmic pressure gradients were weaker within fan-shaped cells; hence, actomyosin motors might be less involved in driving the cell body forward. We also found that the Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase regulated podosome dynamics. We conclude that E. histolytica spontaneously changes its migration mode as a function of the substrate composition. This adaptive ability might favour E. histolytica’s invasion of human colonic tissue. By combining microfluidic experiments, mechanical modelling, and image analysis, our work also introduces a computational pipeline for the study of cell migration.