Fig. 7. Schematic stages of cell dissemination.

Stages of cell dissemination were reconstituted based on confocal images of fixed Ras^V12 cells and ex vivo live imaging of esg^ts > Ras^V12 posterior midguts. Lower panels show representative confocal images of control (esg^ts; stage 1) and Ras^V12 cells (stages 2–4). An esg^ts cell is illustrated in stage 1. In the absence of Ras^V12 expression, ISCs and EBs reside within the midgut epithelia. Upon Ras^V12 expression, invasive protrusions are formed at the basal side of the cells, and Mmp1 levels increase. Stage 2 illustrates a Ras^V12 cell producing large protrusions/blebs and ELEVs across the VM. These cells could be observed at days 2 and 3 of Ras^V12 expression. Stages 3 and 4 illustrate Ras^V12 cells under and after transmigration, respectively. Disseminated cells were frequently detected at days 2 and 3 of Ras^V12 expression. Scale bar, 10 µm.