Thy-1-mediated cell-cell contact induces astrocyte migration through the engagement of αVβ3 integrin and syndecan-4

► Strong cell adhesion is opposite to cell migration. ► Neuronal Thy-1 engages integrin and syndecan-4 in astrocytes to greatly increase their adhesion. ► Thy-1 stimulation for 1 h activates Rac1 and inactivates RhoA. ► Extended Thy-1 stimulation period triggers the activation of FAK-PI3K-Rac1 signaling pathway. ► Neuron-astrocyte binding dorsally engages receptors and signaling molecules to promote cell motility over a substratum.