Transient contractility attenuation reprograms epithelial cells into a protrusion-driven state that drives tissue fluidization

Collective cell migration drives tissue morphogenesis, repair and remodeling, and is often accompanied by transitions from solid-like to fluid-like states. While such tissue fluidization has been linked to physical parameters such as cell density, shape and activity, how it is actively regulated by mechano-chemical interplay remains unclear. Previous research has shown that transient attenuation of actomyosin contractility induces a transition from pulsatile, spatially confined motion to coherent, persistent long-range collective flow; however, the underlying cellular and signaling mechanisms remain unclear. Here we uncover the mechanistic basis by which transient perturbation of cell contractility reprograms the migration mode of confluent epithelial cells into a leader-like, fluidizing state, by combining kinase-reporter live imaging, force measurements and mathematical modeling. This transition arises from coordinated changes in cell morphology, mechanics, and signaling, including reduced cortical tension, enhanced cell-substrate adhesion and traction forces, and increased tissue deformability. At the signaling level, this process is accompanied by a rewiring of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-mediated mechanotransduction toward a protrusion-coupled mode that sustains migration even under fully confluent conditions. Consistently, a multicellular computational model further demonstrates that protrusion-driven migration is sufficient to promote shape-velocity alignment and drive a transition from caged to flocking-like collective states. Together, our results identify transient mechanical relaxation as a trigger for an intrinsic leader-like state that fluidizes epithelial confluent tissues through coordinated remodeling of cytoskeletal, adhesive, and signaling systems. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Singapore Ministry of Education Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 2, MOE-T2EP30223–0010 National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF) under its Mid-sized Grant, NRF-MSG-2023–0001