1
|
Jipp M, Wagner BD, Egbringhoff L, Teichmann A, Rübeling A, Nieschwitz P, Honigmann A, Chizhik A, Oswald TA, Janshoff A. Cell-substrate distance fluctuations of confluent cells enable fast and coherent collective migration. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114553. [PMID: 39150846 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Collective cell migration is an emergent phenomenon, with long-range cell-cell communication influenced by various factors, including transmission of forces, viscoelasticity of individual cells, substrate interactions, and mechanotransduction. We investigate how alterations in cell-substrate distance fluctuations, cell-substrate adhesion, and traction forces impact the average velocity and temporal-spatial correlation of confluent monolayers formed by either wild-type (WT) MDCKII cells or zonula occludens (ZO)-1/2-depleted MDCKII cells (double knockdown [dKD]) representing highly contractile cells. The data indicate that confluent dKD monolayers exhibit decreased average velocity compared to less contractile WT cells concomitant with increased substrate adhesion, reduced traction forces, a more compact shape, diminished cell-cell interactions, and reduced cell-substrate distance fluctuations. Depletion of basal actin and myosin further supports the notion that short-range cell-substrate interactions, particularly fluctuations driven by basal actomyosin, significantly influence the migration speed of the monolayer on a larger length scale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Jipp
- University of Göttingen, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Tammannstrasse 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Bente D Wagner
- University of Göttingen, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Tammannstrasse 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lisa Egbringhoff
- University of Göttingen, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Tammannstrasse 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Teichmann
- University of Göttingen, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Tammannstrasse 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Angela Rübeling
- University of Göttingen, Institute of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Tammannstrasse 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Paul Nieschwitz
- University of Göttingen, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Tammannstrasse 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alf Honigmann
- Biotechnology Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexey Chizhik
- University of Göttingen, Third Institute of Physics, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tabea A Oswald
- University of Göttingen, Institute of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Tammannstrasse 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Andreas Janshoff
- University of Göttingen, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Tammannstrasse 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sadhukhan S, Nandi MK, Pandey S, Paoluzzi M, Dasgupta C, Gov NS, Nandi SK. Motility driven glassy dynamics in confluent epithelial monolayers. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:6160-6175. [PMID: 39044639 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00352g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
As wounds heal, embryos develop, cancer spreads, or asthma progresses, the cellular monolayer undergoes a glass transition between solid-like jammed and fluid-like flowing states. During some of these processes, the cells undergo an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT): they acquire in-plane polarity and become motile. Thus, how motility drives the glassy dynamics in epithelial systems is critical for the EMT process. However, no analytical framework that is indispensable for deeper insights exists. Here, we develop such a theory inspired by a well-known glass theory. One crucial result of this work is that the confluency affects the effective persistence time-scale of active force, described by its rotational diffusivity, Deffr. Deffr differs from the bare rotational diffusivity, Dr, of the motile force due to cell shape dynamics, which acts to rectify the force dynamics: Deffr is equal to Dr when Dr is small and saturates when Dr is large. We test the theoretical prediction of Deffr and how it affects the relaxation dynamics in our simulations of the active Vertex model. This novel effect of Deffr is crucial to understanding the new and previously published simulation data of active glassy dynamics in epithelial monolayers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Souvik Sadhukhan
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 36/P Gopanpally Village, Hyderabad-500046, India.
| | - Manoj Kumar Nandi
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Bron 69500, France
| | - Satyam Pandey
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 36/P Gopanpally Village, Hyderabad-500046, India.
| | - Matteo Paoluzzi
- Istituto per le Applicazioni del Calcolo del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Chandan Dasgupta
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
- International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, TIFR, Bangalore 560089, India
| | - Nir S Gov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Saroj Kumar Nandi
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 36/P Gopanpally Village, Hyderabad-500046, India.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang X, Cupo CM, Ostvar S, Countryman AD, Kasza KE. E-cadherin tunes tissue mechanical behavior before and during morphogenetic tissue flows. Curr Biol 2024; 34:3367-3379.e5. [PMID: 39013464 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Adhesion between epithelial cells enables the remarkable mechanical behavior of epithelial tissues during morphogenesis. However, it remains unclear how cell-cell adhesion influences mechanics in both static and dynamically flowing confluent epithelial tissues. Here, we systematically modulate E-cadherin-mediated adhesion in the Drosophila embryo and study the effects on the mechanical behavior of the germband epithelium before and during dramatic tissue remodeling and flow associated with body axis elongation. Before axis elongation, we find that increasing E-cadherin levels produces tissue comprising more elongated cells and predicted to be more fluid-like, providing reduced resistance to tissue flow. During axis elongation, we find that the dominant effect of E-cadherin is tuning the speed at which cells proceed through rearrangement events. Before and during axis elongation, E-cadherin levels influence patterns of actomyosin-dependent forces, supporting the notion that E-cadherin tunes tissue mechanics in part through effects on actomyosin. Notably, the effects of ∼4-fold changes in E-cadherin levels on overall tissue structure and flow are relatively weak, suggesting that the system is tolerant to changes in absolute E-cadherin levels over this range where an intact tissue is formed. Taken together, these findings reveal dual-and sometimes opposing-roles for E-cadherin-mediated adhesion in controlling tissue structure and dynamics in vivo, which result in unexpected relationships between adhesion and flow in confluent tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xun Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Christian M Cupo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Sassan Ostvar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Andrew D Countryman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Karen E Kasza
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mao Y, Wickström SA. Mechanical state transitions in the regulation of tissue form and function. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024; 25:654-670. [PMID: 38600372 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00719-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
From embryonic development, postnatal growth and adult homeostasis to reparative and disease states, cells and tissues undergo constant changes in genome activity, cell fate, proliferation, movement, metabolism and growth. Importantly, these biological state transitions are coupled to changes in the mechanical and material properties of cells and tissues, termed mechanical state transitions. These mechanical states share features with physical states of matter, liquids and solids. Tissues can switch between mechanical states by changing behavioural dynamics or connectivity between cells. Conversely, these changes in tissue mechanical properties are known to control cell and tissue function, most importantly the ability of cells to move or tissues to deform. Thus, tissue mechanical state transitions are implicated in transmitting information across biological length and time scales, especially during processes of early development, wound healing and diseases such as cancer. This Review will focus on the biological basis of tissue-scale mechanical state transitions, how they emerge from molecular and cellular interactions, and their roles in organismal development, homeostasis, regeneration and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanlan Mao
- Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK.
- Institute for the Physics of Living Systems, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Sara A Wickström
- Department of Cell and Tissue Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany.
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yang H, Nguyen AQ, Bi D, Buehler MJ, Guo M. Multicell-Fold: geometric learning in folding multicellular life. ARXIV 2024:arXiv:2407.07055v2. [PMID: 39040638 PMCID: PMC11261991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
During developmental processes such as embryogenesis, how a group of cells fold into specific structures, is a central question in biology. However, it remains a major challenge to understand and predict the behavior of every cell within the living tissue over time during such intricate processes. Here we present a geometric deep-learning model that can accurately capture the highly convoluted interactions among cells. We demonstrate that multicellular data can be represented with both granular and foam-like physical pictures through a unified graph data structure, considering both cellular interactions and cell junction networks. Using this model, we achieve interpretable 4-D morphological sequence alignment, and predicting cell rearrangements before they occur at single-cell resolution. Furthermore, using neural activation map and ablation studies, we demonstrate cell geometries and cell junction networks together regulate morphogenesis at single-cell precision. This approach offers a pathway toward a unified dynamic atlas for a variety of developmental processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haiqian Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Anh Q. Nguyen
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dapeng Bi
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Markus J. Buehler
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Computational Science and Engineering, Schwarzman College of Computing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ming Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Divoux T, Agoritsas E, Aime S, Barentin C, Barrat JL, Benzi R, Berthier L, Bi D, Biroli G, Bonn D, Bourrianne P, Bouzid M, Del Gado E, Delanoë-Ayari H, Farain K, Fielding S, Fuchs M, van der Gucht J, Henkes S, Jalaal M, Joshi YM, Lemaître A, Leheny RL, Manneville S, Martens K, Poon WCK, Popović M, Procaccia I, Ramos L, Richards JA, Rogers S, Rossi S, Sbragaglia M, Tarjus G, Toschi F, Trappe V, Vermant J, Wyart M, Zamponi F, Zare D. Ductile-to-brittle transition and yielding in soft amorphous materials: perspectives and open questions. SOFT MATTER 2024. [PMID: 39028363 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01740k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Soft amorphous materials are viscoelastic solids ubiquitously found around us, from clays and cementitious pastes to emulsions and physical gels encountered in food or biomedical engineering. Under an external deformation, these materials undergo a noteworthy transition from a solid to a liquid state that reshapes the material microstructure. This yielding transition was the main theme of a workshop held from January 9 to 13, 2023 at the Lorentz Center in Leiden. The manuscript presented here offers a critical perspective on the subject, synthesizing insights from the various brainstorming sessions and informal discussions that unfolded during this week of vibrant exchange of ideas. The result of these exchanges takes the form of a series of open questions that represent outstanding experimental, numerical, and theoretical challenges to be tackled in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thibaut Divoux
- ENSL, CNRS, Laboratoire de physique, F-69342 Lyon, France.
| | - Elisabeth Agoritsas
- Department of Quantum Matter Physics (DQMP), University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 24, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Aime
- Molecular, Macromolecular Chemistry, and Materials, ESPCI Paris, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Barentin
- Univ. de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, Institut Lumière Matière, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Jean-Louis Barrat
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure, ENS, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Roberto Benzi
- Department of Physics & INFN, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Ludovic Berthier
- Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), Université Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Dapeng Bi
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Giulio Biroli
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure, ENS, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Daniel Bonn
- Soft Matter Group, van der Waals-Zeeman Institute, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Philippe Bourrianne
- PMMH, CNRS, ESPCI Paris, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Mehdi Bouzid
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, 3SR, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Emanuela Del Gado
- Georgetown University, Department of Physics, Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Hélène Delanoë-Ayari
- Univ. de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, Institut Lumière Matière, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Kasra Farain
- Soft Matter Group, van der Waals-Zeeman Institute, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Fielding
- Department of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Matthias Fuchs
- Fachbereich Physik, Universität Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jasper van der Gucht
- Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Silke Henkes
- Lorentz Institute, Leiden University, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maziyar Jalaal
- Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yogesh M Joshi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur 208016, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anaël Lemaître
- Navier, École des Ponts, Univ Gustave Eiffel, CNRS, Marne-la-Vallée, France
| | - Robert L Leheny
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA
| | | | | | - Wilson C K Poon
- SUPA and the School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, UK
| | - Marko Popović
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Str.38, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Itamar Procaccia
- Dept. of Chemical Physics, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
- Sino-Europe Complex Science Center, School of Mathematics, North University of China, Shanxi, Taiyuan 030051, China
| | - Laurence Ramos
- Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), Université Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - James A Richards
- SUPA and the School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, UK
| | - Simon Rogers
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Saverio Rossi
- LPTMC, CNRS-UMR 7600, Sorbonne Université, 4 Pl. Jussieu, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Mauro Sbragaglia
- Department of Physics & INFN, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Gilles Tarjus
- LPTMC, CNRS-UMR 7600, Sorbonne Université, 4 Pl. Jussieu, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Federico Toschi
- Department of Applied Physics and Science Education, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- CNR-IAC, Via dei Taurini 19, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Véronique Trappe
- Department of Physics, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 3, Fribourg 1700, Switzerland
| | - Jan Vermant
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir Prelog Weg 5, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Matthieu Wyart
- Department of Quantum Matter Physics (DQMP), University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 24, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Zamponi
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure, ENS, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, F-75005 Paris, France
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Davoud Zare
- Fonterra Research and Development Centre, Dairy Farm Road, Fitzherbert, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
- Nestlé Institute of Food Sciences, Nestlé Research, Vers Chez les Blancs, Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li X, Huebner RJ, Williams MLK, Sawyer J, Peifer M, Wallingford JB, Thirumalai D. Emergence of cellular nematic order is a conserved feature of gastrulation in animal embryos. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.11.603175. [PMID: 39071444 PMCID: PMC11275887 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.11.603175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Cells undergo dramatic changes in morphology during embryogenesis, yet how these changes affect the formation of ordered tissues remains elusive. Here we find that the emergence of a nematic liquid crystal phase occurs in cells during gastrulation in the development of embryos of fish, frogs, and fruit flies. Moreover, the spatial correlations in all three organisms are long-ranged and follow a similar power-law decay( y ∼ x - α ) with α less than unity for the nematic order parameter, suggesting a common underlying physical mechanism unifies events in these distantly related species. All three species exhibit similar propagation of the nematic phase, reminiscent of nucleation and growth phenomena. Finally, we use a theoretical model along with disruptions of cell adhesion and cell specification to characterize the minimal features required for formation of the nematic phase. Our results provide a framework for understanding a potentially universal features of metazoan embryogenesis and shed light on the advent of ordered structures during animal development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Robert J Huebner
- Department of Molecular Bioscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Margot L K Williams
- Center for Precision Environmental Health & Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jessica Sawyer
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Mark Peifer
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - John B Wallingford
- Department of Molecular Bioscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - D Thirumalai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Li X, Huebner RJ, Williams MLK, Sawyer J, Peifer M, Wallingford JB, Thirumalai D. Emergence of cellular nematic order is a conserved feature of gastrulation in animal embryos. ARXIV 2024:arXiv:2407.12124v1. [PMID: 39070041 PMCID: PMC11275694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Cells undergo dramatic changes in morphology during embryogenesis, yet how these changes affect the formation of ordered tissues remains elusive. Here we find that the emergence of a nematic liquid crystal phase occurs in cells during gastrulation in the development of embryos of fish, frogs, and fruit flies. Moreover, the spatial correlations in all three organisms are long-ranged and follow a similar power-law decay( y ∼ x - α ) with α less than unity for the nematic order parameter, suggesting a common underlying physical mechanism unifies events in these distantly related species. All three species exhibit similar propagation of the nematic phase, reminiscent of nucleation and growth phenomena. Finally, we use a theoretical model along with disruptions of cell adhesion and cell specification to characterize the minimal features required for formation of the nematic phase. Our results provide a framework for understanding a potentially universal features of metazoan embryogenesis and shed light on the advent of ordered structures during animal development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Robert J Huebner
- Department of Molecular Bioscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Margot L K Williams
- Center for Precision Environmental Health & Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jessica Sawyer
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Mark Peifer
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - John B Wallingford
- Department of Molecular Bioscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - D Thirumalai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kandasamy A, Yeh YT, Serrano R, Mercola M, Del Álamo JC. Uncertainty-Aware Traction Force Microscopy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.05.602172. [PMID: 39026786 PMCID: PMC11257441 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.05.602172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Traction Force Microscopy (TFM) is a versatile tool to quantify cell-exerted forces by imaging and tracking fiduciary markers embedded in elastic substrates. The computations involved in TFM are ill-conditioned, and data smoothing or regularization is required to avoid overfitting the noise in the tracked substrate displacements. Most TFM calculations depend critically on the heuristic selection of regularization (hyper)parameters affecting the balance between overfitting and smoothing. However, TFM methods rarely estimate or account for measurement errors in substrate deformation to adjust the regularization level accordingly. Moreover, there is a lack of tools to quantify how these errors propagate to the recovered traction stresses. These limitations make it difficult to interpret TFM readouts and hinder comparing different experiments. This manuscript presents an uncertainty-aware TFM technique that estimates the variability in the magnitude and direction of the traction stress vector recovered at each point in space and time of each experiment. In this technique, substrate deformation and its uncertainty are quantified using a non-parametric bootstrap PIV method by resampling the microscopy image pixels (PIV-UQ). This information is passed to a hierarchical Bayesian framework that automatically selects its hyperparameters to perform spatially adaptive regularization conditioned on image quality and propagates the uncertainty to the traction stress readouts (TFM-UQ). We validate the performance of PIV-UQ and TFM-UQ using synthetic datasets with prescribed image quality variations and demonstrate the application of PIV-UQ and TFM-UQ to experimental datasets. These studies show that TFM-UQ locally adapts the level of smoothing, outperforming traditional regularization methods. They also illustrate how uncertainty-aware TFM tools can be used to objectively choose key image analysis parameters like PIV-UQ interrogation window size. We anticipate that these tools will allow for decoupling biological heterogeneity from measurement variability and facilitate automating the analysis of large datasets by parameter-free, input data-based regularization.
Collapse
|
10
|
Yang H, Meyer F, Huang S, Yang L, Lungu C, Olayioye MA, Buehler MJ, Guo M. Learning Dynamics from Multicellular Graphs with Deep Neural Networks. ARXIV 2024:arXiv:2401.12196v2. [PMID: 38344226 PMCID: PMC10854275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Multicellular self-assembly into functional structures is a dynamic process that is critical in the development and diseases, including embryo development, organ formation, tumor invasion, and others. Being able to infer collective cell migratory dynamics from their static configuration is valuable for both understanding and predicting these complex processes. However, the identification of structural features that can indicate multicellular motion has been difficult, and existing metrics largely rely on physical instincts. Here we show that using a graph neural network (GNN), the motion of multicellular collectives can be inferred from a static snapshot of cell positions, in both experimental and synthetic datasets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haiqian Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Florian Meyer
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Shaoxun Huang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Liu Yang
- Department of Computer Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Cristiana Lungu
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Monilola A. Olayioye
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Markus J. Buehler
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Computational Science and Engineering, Schwarzman College of Computing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ming Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Arora P, Sadhukhan S, Nandi SK, Bi D, Sood AK, Ganapathy R. A shape-driven reentrant jamming transition in confluent monolayers of synthetic cell-mimics. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5645. [PMID: 38969629 PMCID: PMC11226658 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49044-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Many critical biological processes, like wound healing, require densely packed cell monolayers/tissues to transition from a jammed solid-like to a fluid-like state. Although numerical studies anticipate changes in the cell shape alone can lead to unjamming, experimental support for this prediction is not definitive because, in living systems, fluidization due to density changes cannot be ruled out. Additionally, a cell's ability to modulate its motility only compounds difficulties since even in assemblies of rigid active particles, changing the nature of self-propulsion has non-trivial effects on the dynamics. Here, we design and assemble a monolayer of synthetic cell-mimics and examine their collective behaviour. By systematically increasing the persistence time of self-propulsion, we discovered a cell shape-driven, density-independent, re-entrant jamming transition. Notably, we observed cell shape and shape variability were mutually constrained in the confluent limit and followed the same universal scaling as that observed in confluent epithelia. Dynamical heterogeneities, however, did not conform to this scaling, with the fast cells showing suppressed shape variability, which our simulations revealed is due to a transient confinement effect of these cells by their slower neighbors. Our experiments unequivocally establish a morphodynamic link, demonstrating that geometric constraints alone can dictate epithelial jamming/unjamming.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Arora
- Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, 560064, India.
| | - Souvik Sadhukhan
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | | | - Dapeng Bi
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - A K Sood
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
- International Centre for Materials Science, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, 560064, India
| | - Rajesh Ganapathy
- International Centre for Materials Science, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, 560064, India.
- School of Advanced Materials (SAMat), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, 560064, India.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lama H, Yamamoto MJ, Furuta Y, Shimaya T, Takeuchi KA. Emergence of bacterial glass. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae238. [PMID: 38994498 PMCID: PMC11238424 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Densely packed, motile bacteria can adopt collective states not seen in conventional, passive materials. These states remain in many ways mysterious, and their physical characterization can aid our understanding of natural bacterial colonies and biofilms as well as materials in general. Here, we overcome challenges associated with generating uniformly growing, large, quasi-two-dimensional bacterial assemblies by a membrane-based microfluidic device and report the emergence of glassy states in two-dimensional suspension of Escherichia coli. As the number density increases by cell growth, populations of motile bacteria transition to a glassy state, where cells are packed and unable to move. This takes place in two steps, the first one suppressing only the orientational modes and the second one vitrifying the motion completely. Characterizing each phase through statistical analyses and investigations of individual motion of bacteria, we find not only characteristic features of glass such as rapid slowdown, dynamic heterogeneity, and cage effects, but also a few properties distinguished from those of thermal glass. These distinctive properties include the spontaneous formation of micro-domains of aligned cells with collective motion, the appearance of an unusual signal in the dynamic susceptibility, and the dynamic slowdown with a density dependence generally forbidden for thermal systems. Our results are expected to capture general characteristics of such active rod glass, which may serve as a physical mechanism underlying dense bacterial aggregates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hisay Lama
- Department of Physics, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Masahiro J Yamamoto
- Department of Physics, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- National Metrology Institute of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba 305-8560, Japan
| | - Yujiro Furuta
- Department of Physics, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-Osawa, Hachioji 192-0397, Japan
- Department of Physics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan
| | - Takuro Shimaya
- Department of Physics, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Department of Physics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan
| | - Kazumasa A Takeuchi
- Department of Physics, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Department of Physics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Wang W, Law RA, Perez Ipiña E, Konstantopoulos K, Camley BA. Confinement, jamming, and adhesion in cancer cells dissociating from a collectively invading strand. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.28.601053. [PMID: 38979161 PMCID: PMC11230418 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.28.601053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
When cells in a primary tumor work together to invade into nearby tissue, this can lead to cell dissociations-cancer cells breaking off from the invading front-leading to metastasis. What controls the dissociation of cells, and whether they break off singly or in small groups? Can this be determined by cell-cell adhesion or chemotactic cues given to cells? We develop a physical model for this question, based on experiments that mimic aspects of cancer cell invasion using microfluidic devices with microchannels of different widths. Experimentally, most dissociation events ("ruptures") involve single cells breaking off, but we observe some ruptures of large groups ( ∼ 20 cells) in wider channels. The rupture probability is nearly independent of channel width. We recapitulate the experimental results with a phase field cell motility model by introducing three different cell states (follower, guided, and high-motility metabolically active leader cells) based on their spatial position. These leader cells may explain why single-cell rupture is the universal most probable outcome. Our simulation results show that cell-channel adhesion is necessary for cells in narrow channels to invade, and strong cell-cell adhesion leads to fewer but larger ruptures. Chemotaxis also influences the rupture behavior: Strong chemotaxis strength leads to larger and faster ruptures. Finally, we study the relationship between biological jamming transitions and cell dissociations. Our results suggest unjamming is necessary but not sufficient to create ruptures.
Collapse
|
14
|
Chouhan G, Lewis NS, Ghanekar V, Koti Ainavarapu SR, Inamdar MM, Sonawane M. Cell-size-dependent regulation of Ezrin dictates epithelial resilience to stretch by countering myosin-II-mediated contractility. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114271. [PMID: 38823013 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The epithelial adaptations to mechanical stress are facilitated by molecular and tissue-scale changes that include the strengthening of junctions, cytoskeletal reorganization, and cell-proliferation-mediated changes in tissue rheology. However, the role of cell size in controlling these properties remains underexplored. Our experiments in the zebrafish embryonic epidermis, guided by theoretical estimations, reveal a link between epithelial mechanics and cell size, demonstrating that an increase in cell size compromises the tissue fracture strength and compliance. We show that an increase in E-cadherin levels in the proliferation-deficient epidermis restores epidermal compliance but not the fracture strength, which is largely regulated by Ezrin-an apical membrane-cytoskeleton crosslinker. We show that Ezrin fortifies the epithelium in a cell-size-dependent manner by countering non-muscle myosin-II-mediated contractility. This work uncovers the importance of cell size maintenance in regulating the mechanical properties of the epithelium and fostering protection against future mechanical stresses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geetika Chouhan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Colaba, Mumbai, India
| | - Natasha Steffi Lewis
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Colaba, Mumbai, India
| | - Vallari Ghanekar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Colaba, Mumbai, India
| | | | - Mandar M Inamdar
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India.
| | - Mahendra Sonawane
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Colaba, Mumbai, India.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Gupta P, Kayal S, Tanimura N, Pothapragada SP, Senapati HK, Devendran P, Fujita Y, Bi D, Das T. Mechanical imbalance between normal and transformed cells drives epithelial homeostasis through cell competition. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.09.27.559723. [PMID: 37961252 PMCID: PMC10635021 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.27.559723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Cell competition in epithelial tissue eliminates transformed cells expressing activated oncoproteins to maintain epithelial homeostasis. Although the process is now understood to be of mechanochemical origin, direct mechanical characterization and associated biochemical underpinnings are lacking. Here, we employ tissue-scale stress and compressibility measurements and theoretical modeling to unveil a mechanical imbalance between normal and transformed cells, which drives cell competition. In the mouse intestinal epithelium and epithelial monolayer, transformed cells get compacted during competition. Stress microscopy reveals an emergent compressive stress at the transformed loci leading to this compaction. A cell-based self-propelled Voronoi model predicts that this compressive stress originates from a difference in the collective compressibility of the competing populations. A new collective compressibility measurement technique named gel compression microscopy then elucidates a two-fold higher compressibility of the transformed population than the normal population. Mechanistically, weakened cell-cell adhesions due to reduced junctional abundance of E-cadherin in the transformed cells render them collectively more compressible than normal cells. Taken together, our findings unveil a mechanical basis for epithelial homeostasis against oncogenic transformations with implications in epithelial defense against cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Praver Gupta
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad (TIFRH), Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Sayantani Kayal
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nobuyuki Tanimura
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-Cho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto-city, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Shilpa P. Pothapragada
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad (TIFRH), Hyderabad 500046, India
- Present address: Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115. USA
| | - Harish K. Senapati
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad (TIFRH), Hyderabad 500046, India
- Present address: Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Padmashree Devendran
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad (TIFRH), Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Yasuyuki Fujita
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-Cho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto-city, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Dapeng Bi
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tamal Das
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad (TIFRH), Hyderabad 500046, India
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Stehbens SJ, Scarpa E, White MD. Perspectives in collective cell migration - moving forward. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs261549. [PMID: 38904172 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Collective cell migration, where cells move as a cohesive unit, is a vital process underlying morphogenesis and cancer metastasis. Thanks to recent advances in imaging and modelling, we are beginning to understand the intricate relationship between a cell and its microenvironment and how this shapes cell polarity, metabolism and modes of migration. The use of biophysical and mathematical models offers a fresh perspective on how cells migrate collectively, either flowing in a fluid-like state or transitioning to more static states. Continuing to unite researchers in biology, physics and mathematics will enable us to decode more complex biological behaviours that underly collective cell migration; only then can we understand how this coordinated movement of cells influences the formation and organisation of tissues and directs the spread of metastatic cancer. In this Perspective, we highlight exciting discoveries, emerging themes and common challenges that have arisen in recent years, and possible ways forward to bridge the gaps in our current understanding of collective cell migration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha J Stehbens
- The University of Queensland, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- The University of Queensland, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Elena Scarpa
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Melanie D White
- The University of Queensland, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- The University of Queensland, School of Biomedical Sciences, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Huycke TR, Häkkinen TJ, Miyazaki H, Srivastava V, Barruet E, McGinnis CS, Kalantari A, Cornwall-Scoones J, Vaka D, Zhu Q, Jo H, Oria R, Weaver VM, DeGrado WF, Thomson M, Garikipati K, Boffelli D, Klein OD, Gartner ZJ. Patterning and folding of intestinal villi by active mesenchymal dewetting. Cell 2024; 187:3072-3089.e20. [PMID: 38781967 PMCID: PMC11166531 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.04.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Tissue folds are structural motifs critical to organ function. In the intestine, bending of a flat epithelium into a periodic pattern of folds gives rise to villi, finger-like protrusions that enable nutrient absorption. However, the molecular and mechanical processes driving villus morphogenesis remain unclear. Here, we identify an active mechanical mechanism that simultaneously patterns and folds the intestinal epithelium to initiate villus formation. At the cellular level, we find that PDGFRA+ subepithelial mesenchymal cells generate myosin II-dependent forces sufficient to produce patterned curvature in neighboring tissue interfaces. This symmetry-breaking process requires altered cell and extracellular matrix interactions that are enabled by matrix metalloproteinase-mediated tissue fluidization. Computational models, together with in vitro and in vivo experiments, revealed that these cellular features manifest at the tissue level as differences in interfacial tensions that promote mesenchymal aggregation and interface bending through a process analogous to the active dewetting of a thin liquid film.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tyler R Huycke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Program in Craniofacial Biology and Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Teemu J Häkkinen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Program in Craniofacial Biology and Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hikaru Miyazaki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Program in Craniofacial Biology and Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Vasudha Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Emilie Barruet
- Department of Pediatrics, Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children's, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christopher S McGinnis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ali Kalantari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Program in Craniofacial Biology and Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jake Cornwall-Scoones
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Dedeepya Vaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children's, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Qin Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hyunil Jo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Roger Oria
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helen Diller Family Cancer Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Valerie M Weaver
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helen Diller Family Cancer Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - William F DeGrado
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Matt Thomson
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Krishna Garikipati
- Departments of Mechanical Engineering, and Mathematics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Dario Boffelli
- Department of Pediatrics, Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children's, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ophir D Klein
- Program in Craniofacial Biology and Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children's, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Zev J Gartner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Conboy JP, Istúriz Petitjean I, van der Net A, Koenderink GH. How cytoskeletal crosstalk makes cells move: Bridging cell-free and cell studies. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2024; 5:021307. [PMID: 38840976 PMCID: PMC11151447 DOI: 10.1063/5.0198119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Cell migration is a fundamental process for life and is highly dependent on the dynamical and mechanical properties of the cytoskeleton. Intensive physical and biochemical crosstalk among actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments ensures their coordination to facilitate and enable migration. In this review, we discuss the different mechanical aspects that govern cell migration and provide, for each mechanical aspect, a novel perspective by juxtaposing two complementary approaches to the biophysical study of cytoskeletal crosstalk: live-cell studies (often referred to as top-down studies) and cell-free studies (often referred to as bottom-up studies). We summarize the main findings from both experimental approaches, and we provide our perspective on bridging the two perspectives to address the open questions of how cytoskeletal crosstalk governs cell migration and makes cells move.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James P. Conboy
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Irene Istúriz Petitjean
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Anouk van der Net
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Gijsje H. Koenderink
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Du W, Verma A, Ye Q, Du W, Lin S, Yamanaka A, Klein OD, Hu JK. Myosin II mediates Shh signals to shape dental epithelia via control of cell adhesion and movement. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011326. [PMID: 38857279 PMCID: PMC11192418 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of ectodermal organs begins with the formation of a stratified epithelial placode that progressively invaginates into the underlying mesenchyme as the organ takes its shape. Signaling by secreted molecules is critical for epithelial morphogenesis, but how that information leads to cell rearrangement and tissue shape changes remains an open question. Using the mouse dentition as a model, we first establish that non-muscle myosin II is essential for dental epithelial invagination and show that it functions by promoting cell-cell adhesion and persistent convergent cell movements in the suprabasal layer. Shh signaling controls these processes by inducing myosin II activation via AKT. Pharmacological induction of AKT and myosin II can also rescue defects caused by the inhibition of Shh. Together, our results support a model in which the Shh signal is transmitted through myosin II to power effective cellular rearrangement for proper dental epithelial invagination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Du
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- School of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Adya Verma
- Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Qianlin Ye
- School of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Wen Du
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Sandy Lin
- School of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Atsushi Yamanaka
- Department of Oral Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Ophir D. Klein
- Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Jimmy K. Hu
- School of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Scott HL, Burns-Casamayor V, Dixson AC, Standaert RF, Stanley CB, Stingaciu LR, Carrillo JMY, Sumpter BG, Katsaras J, Qiang W, Heberle FA, Mertz B, Ashkar R, Barrera FN. Neutron spin echo shows pHLIP is capable of retarding membrane thickness fluctuations. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2024; 1866:184349. [PMID: 38815687 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2024.184349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Cell membranes are responsible for a range of biological processes that require interactions between lipids and proteins. While the effects of lipids on proteins are becoming better understood, our knowledge of how protein conformational changes influence membrane dynamics remains rudimentary. Here, we performed experiments and computer simulations to study the dynamic response of a lipid membrane to changes in the conformational state of pH-low insertion peptide (pHLIP), which transitions from a surface-associated (SA) state at neutral or basic pH to a transmembrane (TM) α-helix under acidic conditions. Our results show that TM-pHLIP significantly slows down membrane thickness fluctuations due to an increase in effective membrane viscosity. Our findings suggest a possible membrane regulatory mechanism, where the TM helix affects lipid chain conformations, and subsequently alters membrane fluctuations and viscosity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haden L Scott
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996, United States of America
| | - Violeta Burns-Casamayor
- C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States of America
| | - Andrew C Dixson
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996, United States of America
| | - Robert F Standaert
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996, United States of America; C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States of America; Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States of America
| | - Christopher B Stanley
- Shull Wollan Center - a Joint Institute for Neutron Sciences, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States of America; Computational Sciences and Engineering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States of America
| | - Laura-Roxana Stingaciu
- Labs and Soft Matter Group, Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States of America; JCNS1, FZJ outstation at SNS, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States of America
| | - Jan-Michael Y Carrillo
- Computational Sciences and Engineering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States of America; Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States of America
| | - Bobby G Sumpter
- Computational Sciences and Engineering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States of America; Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States of America
| | - John Katsaras
- Shull Wollan Center - a Joint Institute for Neutron Sciences, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States of America; Labs and Soft Matter Group, Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States of America; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States of America
| | - Wei Qiang
- Department of Chemistry, the State University of New York, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States of America
| | - Frederick A Heberle
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37920, United States of America
| | - Blake Mertz
- C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States of America; West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States of America
| | - Rana Ashkar
- Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States of America; Center for Soft Matter and Biological Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States of America.
| | - Francisco N Barrera
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Tang Y, Chen S, Bowick MJ, Bi D. Cell Division and Motility Enable Hexatic Order in Biological Tissues. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2024; 132:218402. [PMID: 38856284 PMCID: PMC11267118 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.132.218402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Biological tissues transform between solid- and liquidlike states in many fundamental physiological events. Recent experimental observations further suggest that in two-dimensional epithelial tissues these solid-liquid transformations can happen via intermediate states akin to the intermediate hexatic phases observed in equilibrium two-dimensional melting. The hexatic phase is characterized by quasi-long-range (power-law) orientational order but no translational order, thus endowing some structure to an otherwise structureless fluid. While it has been shown that hexatic order in tissue models can be induced by motility and thermal fluctuations, the role of cell division and apoptosis (birth and death) has remained poorly understood, despite its fundamental biological role. Here we study the effect of cell division and apoptosis on global hexatic order within the framework of the self-propelled Voronoi model of tissue. Although cell division naively destroys order and active motility facilitates deformations, we show that their combined action drives a liquid-hexatic-liquid transformation as the motility increases. The hexatic phase is accessed by the delicate balance of dislocation defect generation from cell division and the active binding of disclination-antidisclination pairs from motility. We formulate a mean-field model to elucidate this competition between cell division and motility and the consequent development of hexatic order.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Tang
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Siyuan Chen
- Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
| | - Mark J Bowick
- Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
- Kavli Institute of Theoretical Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
| | - Dapeng Bi
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Brézin L, Korolev KS. Mechanically-driven growth and competition in a Voronoi model of tissues. ARXIV 2024:arXiv:2405.07899v1. [PMID: 38800651 PMCID: PMC11118596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The mechanisms leading cells to acquire a fitness advantage and establish themselves in a population are paramount to understanding the development and growth of cancer. Although there are many works that study separately either the evolutionary dynamics or the mechanics of cancer, little has been done to couple evolutionary dynamics to mechanics. To address this question, we study a confluent model of tissue using a Self-Propelled Voronoi (SPV) model with stochastic growth rates that depend on the mechanical variables of the system. The SPV model is an out-of-equilibrium model of tissue derived from an energy functional that has a jamming/unjamming transition between solid-like and liquid-like states. By considering several scenarios of mutants invading a resident population in both phases, we determine the range of parameters that confer a fitness advantage and show that the preferred area and perimeter are the most relevant ones. We find that the liquid-like state is more resistant to invasion and show that the outcome of the competition can be determined from the simulation of a non-growing mixture. Moreover, a mean-field approximation can accurately predict the fate of a mutation affecting mechanical properties of a cell. Our results can be used to infer evolutionary dynamics from tissue images, understand cancer-suppressing effects of tissue mechanics, and even search for mechanics-based therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louis Brézin
- Department of Physics, Graduate Program in Bioinformatics and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Kirill S. Korolev
- Department of Physics, Graduate Program in Bioinformatics and Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Wang X, Cupo CM, Ostvar S, Countryman AD, Kasza KE. E-cadherin tunes tissue mechanical behavior before and during morphogenetic tissue flows. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.07.592778. [PMID: 38766260 PMCID: PMC11100719 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.07.592778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Adhesion between epithelial cells enables the remarkable mechanical behavior of epithelial tissues during morphogenesis. However, it remains unclear how cell-cell adhesion influences mechanics in static as well as in dynamically flowing epithelial tissues. Here, we systematically modulate E-cadherin-mediated adhesion in the Drosophila embryo and study the effects on the mechanical behavior of the germband epithelium before and during dramatic tissue remodeling and flow associated with body axis elongation. Before axis elongation, we find that increasing E-cadherin levels produces tissue comprising more elongated cells and predicted to be more fluid-like, providing reduced resistance to tissue flow. During axis elongation, we find that the dominant effect of E-cadherin is tuning the speed at which cells proceed through rearrangement events, revealing potential roles for E-cadherin in generating friction between cells. Before and during axis elongation, E-cadherin levels influence patterns of actomyosin-dependent forces, supporting the notion that E-cadherin tunes tissue mechanics in part through effects on actomyosin. Taken together, these findings reveal dual-and sometimes opposing-roles for E-cadherin-mediated adhesion in controlling tissue structure and dynamics in vivo that result in unexpected relationships between adhesion and flow.
Collapse
|
24
|
Monfared S, Ravichandran G, Andrade JE, Doostmohammadi A. Short-range correlation of stress chains near solid-to-liquid transition in active monolayers. J R Soc Interface 2024; 21:20240022. [PMID: 38715321 PMCID: PMC11077009 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2024.0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Using a three-dimensional model of cell monolayers, we study the spatial organization of active stress chains as the monolayer transitions from a solid to a liquid state. The critical exponents that characterize this transition map the isotropic stress percolation onto the two-dimensional random percolation universality class, suggesting short-range stress correlations near this transition. This mapping is achieved via two distinct, independent pathways: (i) cell-cell adhesion and (ii) active traction forces. We unify our findings by linking the nature of this transition to high-stress fluctuations, distinctly linked to each pathway. The results elevate the importance of the transmission of mechanical information in dense active matter and provide a new context for understanding the non-equilibrium statistical physics of phase transition in active systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siavash Monfared
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, 2100, Denmark
| | - Guruswami Ravichandran
- Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, , CA, 91125, USA
| | - José E. Andrade
- Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, , CA, 91125, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Sarkar T, Krajnc M. Graph topological transformations in space-filling cell aggregates. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1012089. [PMID: 38743660 PMCID: PMC11093388 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell rearrangements are fundamental mechanisms driving large-scale deformations of living tissues. In three-dimensional (3D) space-filling cell aggregates, cells rearrange through local topological transitions of the network of cell-cell interfaces, which is most conveniently described by the vertex model. Since these transitions are not yet mathematically properly formulated, the 3D vertex model is generally difficult to implement. The few existing implementations rely on highly customized and complex software-engineering solutions, which cannot be transparently delineated and are thus mostly non-reproducible. To solve this outstanding problem, we propose a reformulation of the vertex model. Our approach, called Graph Vertex Model (GVM), is based on storing the topology of the cell network into a knowledge graph with a particular data structure that allows performing cell-rearrangement events by simple graph transformations. Importantly, when these same transformations are applied to a two-dimensional (2D) polygonal cell aggregate, they reduce to a well-known T1 transition, thereby generalizing cell-rearrangements in 2D and 3D space-filling packings. This result suggests that the GVM's graph data structure may be the most natural representation of cell aggregates and tissues. We also develop a Python package that implements GVM, relying on a graph-database-management framework Neo4j. We use this package to characterize an order-disorder transition in 3D cell aggregates, driven by active noise and we find aggregates undergoing efficient ordering close to the transition point. In all, our work showcases knowledge graphs as particularly suitable data models for structured storage, analysis, and manipulation of tissue data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanmoy Sarkar
- Department of Theoretical Physics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matej Krajnc
- Department of Theoretical Physics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Guerrero P, Perez-Carrasco R. Choice of friction coefficient deeply affects tissue behaviour in stochastic epithelial vertex models. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230051. [PMID: 38432320 PMCID: PMC10909505 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
To understand the mechanisms that coordinate the formation of biological tissues, the use of numerical implementations is necessary. The complexity of such models involves many assumptions and parameter choices that result in unpredictable consequences, obstructing the comparison with experimental data. Here, we focus on vertex models, a family of spatial models used extensively to simulate the dynamics of epithelial tissues. Usually, in the literature, the choice of the friction coefficient is not addressed using quasi-static deformation arguments that generally do not apply to realistic scenarios. In this manuscript, we discuss the role that the choice of friction coefficient has on the relaxation times and consequently in the conditions of cell cycle progression and division. We explore the effects that these changes have on the morphology, growth rate and topological transitions of the tissue dynamics. These results provide a deeper understanding of the role that an accurate mechanical description plays in the use of vertex models as inference tools. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Causes and consequences of stochastic processes in development and disease'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Guerrero
- Grupo Interdisciplinar de Sistemas Complejos, Departamento de Matemáticas, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, 28911 Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ruben Perez-Carrasco
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Tang W, Huang J, Pegoraro AF, Zhang JH, Tang Y, Bi D, Kotton DN, Guo M. Nuclear size-regulated emergence of topological packing order on growing human lung alveolospheres. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.17.589951. [PMID: 38659777 PMCID: PMC11042317 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.17.589951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Within multicellular living systems, cells coordinate their positions with spatiotemporal accuracy to form various structures, setting the clock to control developmental processes and trigger maturation. These arrangements can be regulated by tissue topology, biochemical cues, as well as mechanical perturbations. However, the fundamental rules of how local cell packing order is regulated in forming three-dimensional (3D) multicellular architectures remain unclear. Furthermore, how cellular coordination evolves during developmental processes, and whether this cell patterning behavior is indicative of more complex biological functions, is largely unknown. Here, using human lung alveolospheres as a model system, by combining experiments and numerical simulations, we find that, surprisingly, cell packing behavior on alveolospheres resembles hard-disk packing but with increased randomness; the stiffer cell nuclei act as the hard disks surrounded by deformable cell bodies. Interestingly, we observe the emergence of topological packing order during alveolosphere growth, as a result of increasing nucleus-to-cell size ratio. Specifically, we find more hexagon-concentrated cellular packing with increasing bond orientational order, indicating a topological gas-to-liquid transition. Additionally, by osmotically changing the compactness of cells on alveolospheres, we observe that the variations in packing order align with the change of nucleus-to-cell size ratio. Together, our findings reveal the underlying rules of cell coordination and topological phases during human lung alveolosphere growth. These static packing characteristics are consistent with cell dynamics, together suggesting that better cellular packing stabilizes local cell neighborhoods and may regulate more complex biological functions such as organ development and cellular maturation.
Collapse
|
28
|
McCauley KB, Kukreja K, Tovar Walker AE, Jaffe AB, Klein AM. A map of signaling responses in the human airway epithelium. Cell Syst 2024; 15:307-321.e10. [PMID: 38508187 PMCID: PMC11031335 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Receptor-mediated signaling plays a central role in tissue regeneration, and it is dysregulated in disease. Here, we build a signaling-response map for a model regenerative human tissue: the airway epithelium. We analyzed the effect of 17 receptor-mediated signaling pathways on organotypic cultures to determine changes in abundance and phenotype of epithelial cell types. This map recapitulates the gamut of known airway epithelial signaling responses to these pathways. It defines convergent states induced by multiple ligands and diverse, ligand-specific responses in basal cell and secretory cell metaplasia. We show that loss of canonical differentiation induced by multiple pathways is associated with cell-cycle arrest, but that arrest is not sufficient to block differentiation. Using the signaling-response map, we show that a TGFB1-mediated response underlies specific aberrant cells found in multiple lung diseases and identify interferon responses in COVID-19 patient samples. Thus, we offer a framework enabling systematic evaluation of tissue signaling responses. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the supplemental information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine B McCauley
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Respiratory Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Disease Area X, Biomedical Research, Novartis, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kalki Kukreja
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Aron B Jaffe
- Respiratory Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Allon M Klein
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Drazen JM, Fredberg JJ. Epithelial cells crowded out in asthma. Science 2024; 384:30-31. [PMID: 38574157 DOI: 10.1126/science.ado4514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Bronchoconstriction causes epithelial cell extrusion that promotes airway inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M Drazen
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Fredberg
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Bagley DC, Russell T, Ortiz-Zapater E, Stinson S, Fox K, Redd PF, Joseph M, Deering-Rice C, Reilly C, Parsons M, Brightling C, Rosenblatt J. Bronchoconstriction damages airway epithelia by crowding-induced excess cell extrusion. Science 2024; 384:66-73. [PMID: 38574138 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk2758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Asthma is deemed an inflammatory disease, yet the defining diagnostic feature is mechanical bronchoconstriction. We previously discovered a conserved process called cell extrusion that drives homeostatic epithelial cell death when cells become too crowded. In this work, we show that the pathological crowding of a bronchoconstrictive attack causes so much epithelial cell extrusion that it damages the airways, resulting in inflammation and mucus secretion in both mice and humans. Although relaxing the airways with the rescue treatment albuterol did not affect these responses, inhibiting live cell extrusion signaling during bronchoconstriction prevented all these features. Our findings show that bronchoconstriction causes epithelial damage and inflammation by excess crowding-induced cell extrusion and suggest that blocking epithelial extrusion, instead of the ensuing downstream inflammation, could prevent the feed-forward asthma inflammatory cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dustin C Bagley
- The Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Tobias Russell
- The Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Elena Ortiz-Zapater
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Sally Stinson
- Institute for Lung Health, Leicester NIHR BRC, University of Leicester, Leicester LE3 9QP, UK
| | | | - Polly F Redd
- University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Merry Joseph
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | | | | | - Maddy Parsons
- The Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Christopher Brightling
- Institute for Lung Health, Leicester NIHR BRC, University of Leicester, Leicester LE3 9QP, UK
| | - Jody Rosenblatt
- The Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Brückner DB, Broedersz CP. Learning dynamical models of single and collective cell migration: a review. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2024; 87:056601. [PMID: 38518358 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/ad36d2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Single and collective cell migration are fundamental processes critical for physiological phenomena ranging from embryonic development and immune response to wound healing and cancer metastasis. To understand cell migration from a physical perspective, a broad variety of models for the underlying physical mechanisms that govern cell motility have been developed. A key challenge in the development of such models is how to connect them to experimental observations, which often exhibit complex stochastic behaviours. In this review, we discuss recent advances in data-driven theoretical approaches that directly connect with experimental data to infer dynamical models of stochastic cell migration. Leveraging advances in nanofabrication, image analysis, and tracking technology, experimental studies now provide unprecedented large datasets on cellular dynamics. In parallel, theoretical efforts have been directed towards integrating such datasets into physical models from the single cell to the tissue scale with the aim of conceptualising the emergent behaviour of cells. We first review how this inference problem has been addressed in both freely migrating and confined cells. Next, we discuss why these dynamics typically take the form of underdamped stochastic equations of motion, and how such equations can be inferred from data. We then review applications of data-driven inference and machine learning approaches to heterogeneity in cell behaviour, subcellular degrees of freedom, and to the collective dynamics of multicellular systems. Across these applications, we emphasise how data-driven methods can be integrated with physical active matter models of migrating cells, and help reveal how underlying molecular mechanisms control cell behaviour. Together, these data-driven approaches are a promising avenue for building physical models of cell migration directly from experimental data, and for providing conceptual links between different length-scales of description.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David B Brückner
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Chase P Broedersz
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Arnold Sommerfeld Center for Theoretical Physics and Center for NanoScience, Department of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich, Theresienstr. 37, D-80333 Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Campàs O, Noordstra I, Yap AS. Adherens junctions as molecular regulators of emergent tissue mechanics. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024; 25:252-269. [PMID: 38093099 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-023-00688-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Tissue and organ development during embryogenesis relies on the collective and coordinated action of many cells. Recent studies have revealed that tissue material properties, including transitions between fluid and solid tissue states, are controlled in space and time to shape embryonic structures and regulate cell behaviours. Although the collective cellular flows that sculpt tissues are guided by tissue-level physical changes, these ultimately emerge from cellular-level and subcellular-level molecular mechanisms. Adherens junctions are key subcellular structures, built from clusters of classical cadherin receptors. They mediate physical interactions between cells and connect biochemical signalling to the physical characteristics of cell contacts, hence playing a fundamental role in tissue morphogenesis. In this Review, we take advantage of the results of recent, quantitative measurements of tissue mechanics to relate the molecular and cellular characteristics of adherens junctions, including adhesion strength, tension and dynamics, to the emergent physical state of embryonic tissues. We focus on systems in which cell-cell interactions are the primary contributor to morphogenesis, without significant contribution from cell-matrix interactions. We suggest that emergent tissue mechanics is an important direction for future research, bridging cell biology, developmental biology and mechanobiology to provide a holistic understanding of morphogenesis in health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Otger Campàs
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Ivar Noordstra
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Alpha S Yap
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Tajvidi Safa B, Huang C, Kabla A, Yang R. Active viscoelastic models for cell and tissue mechanics. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:231074. [PMID: 38660600 PMCID: PMC11040246 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Living cells are out of equilibrium active materials. Cell-generated forces are transmitted across the cytoskeleton network and to the extracellular environment. These active force interactions shape cellular mechanical behaviour, trigger mechano-sensing, regulate cell adaptation to the microenvironment and can affect disease outcomes. In recent years, the mechanobiology community has witnessed the emergence of many experimental and theoretical approaches to study cells as mechanically active materials. In this review, we highlight recent advancements in incorporating active characteristics of cellular behaviour at different length scales into classic viscoelastic models by either adding an active tension-generating element or adjusting the resting length of an elastic element in the model. Summarizing the two groups of approaches, we will review the formulation and application of these models to understand cellular adaptation mechanisms in response to various types of mechanical stimuli, such as the effect of extracellular matrix properties and external loadings or deformations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bahareh Tajvidi Safa
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE68588, USA
| | - Changjin Huang
- School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore639798, Singapore
| | - Alexandre Kabla
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 1PZ, UK
| | - Ruiguo Yang
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE68588, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI48824, USA
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering (IQ), Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI48824, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Cammarota C, Dawney NS, Bellomio PM, Jüng M, Fletcher AG, Finegan TM, Bergstralh DT. The mechanical influence of densification on epithelial architecture. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1012001. [PMID: 38557605 PMCID: PMC11008847 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Epithelial tissues are the most abundant tissue type in animals, lining body cavities and generating compartment barriers. The function of a monolayered epithelial tissue-whether protective, secretory, absorptive, or filtrative-relies on the side-by-side arrangement of its component cells. The mechanical parameters that determine the shape of epithelial cells in the apical-basal plane are not well-understood. Epithelial tissue architecture in culture is intimately connected to cell density, and cultured layers transition between architectures as they proliferate. This prompted us to ask to what extent epithelial architecture emerges from two mechanical considerations: A) the constraints of densification and B) cell-cell adhesion, a hallmark feature of epithelial cells. To address these questions, we developed a novel polyline cell-based computational model and used it to make theoretical predictions about epithelial architecture upon changes to density and cell-cell adhesion. We tested these predictions using cultured cell experiments. Our results show that the appearance of extended lateral cell-cell borders in culture arises as a consequence of crowding-independent of cell-cell adhesion. However, cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion is associated with a novel architectural transition. Our results suggest that this transition represents the initial appearance of a distinctive epithelial architecture. Together our work reveals the distinct mechanical roles of densification and adhesion to epithelial layer formation and provides a novel theoretical framework to understand the less well-studied apical-basal plane of epithelial tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Cammarota
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Nicole S. Dawney
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Philip M. Bellomio
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Maren Jüng
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Alexander G. Fletcher
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Tara M. Finegan
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Dan T. Bergstralh
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Yin X, Liu YQ, Zhang LY, Liang D, Xu GK. Emergence, Pattern, and Frequency of Spontaneous Waves in Spreading Epithelial Monolayers. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:3631-3637. [PMID: 38466240 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c04876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
A striking phenomenon of collective cell motion is that they can exhibit a spontaneously emerging wave during epithelia expansions. However, the fundamental mechanism, governing the emergence and its crucial characteristics (e.g., the eigenfrequency and the pattern), remains an enigma. By introducing a mechanochemical feedback loop, we develop a highly efficient discrete vertex model to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of spreading epithelia. We find both numerically and analytically that expanding cell monolayers display a power-law dependence of wave frequency on the local heterogeneities (i.e., cell density) with a scaling exponent of -1/2. Moreover, our study demonstrates the quantitative capability of the proposed model in capturing distinct X-, W-, and V-mode wave patterns. We unveil that the phase transition between these modes is governed by the distribution of active self-propulsion forces. Our work provides an avenue for rigorous quantitative investigations into the collective motion and pattern formation of cell groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xu Yin
- Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, Department of Engineering Mechanics, SVL, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Yong-Quan Liu
- Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, Department of Engineering Mechanics, SVL, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Li-Yuan Zhang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Dong Liang
- Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, Department of Engineering Mechanics, SVL, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Guang-Kui Xu
- Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, Department of Engineering Mechanics, SVL, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Mirzakhel Z, Reddy GA, Boman J, Manns B, Veer ST, Katira P. "Patchiness" in mechanical stiffness across a tumor as an early-stage marker for malignancy. BMC Ecol Evol 2024; 24:33. [PMID: 38486161 PMCID: PMC10938681 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-024-02221-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Mechanical phenotyping of tumors, either at an individual cell level or tumor cell population level is gaining traction as a diagnostic tool. However, the extent of diagnostic and prognostic information that can be gained through these measurements is still unclear. In this work, we focus on the heterogeneity in mechanical properties of cells obtained from a single source such as a tissue or tumor as a potential novel biomarker. We believe that this heterogeneity is a conventionally overlooked source of information in mechanical phenotyping data. We use mechanics-based in-silico models of cell-cell interactions and cell population dynamics within 3D environments to probe how heterogeneity in cell mechanics drives tissue and tumor dynamics. Our simulations show that the initial heterogeneity in the mechanical properties of individual cells and the arrangement of these heterogenous sub-populations within the environment can dictate overall cell population dynamics and cause a shift towards the growth of malignant cell phenotypes within healthy tissue environments. The overall heterogeneity in the cellular mechanotype and their spatial distributions is quantified by a "patchiness" index, which is the ratio of the global to local heterogeneity in cell populations. We observe that there exists a threshold value of the patchiness index beyond which an overall healthy population of cells will show a steady shift towards a more malignant phenotype. Based on these results, we propose that the "patchiness" of a tumor or tissue sample, can be an early indicator for malignant transformation and cancer occurrence in benign tumors or healthy tissues. Additionally, we suggest that tissue patchiness, measured either by biochemical or biophysical markers, can become an important metric in predicting tissue health and disease likelihood just as landscape patchiness is an important metric in ecology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zibah Mirzakhel
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Gudur Ashrith Reddy
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Boman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Brianna Manns
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Savannah Ter Veer
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Parag Katira
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
- Computational Science Research Center, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
He ZJ, Chu C, Dickson R, Okuda K, Cai LH. A gel-coated air-liquid-interface culture system with tunable substrate stiffness matching healthy and diseased lung tissues. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2024; 326:L292-L302. [PMID: 38252871 PMCID: PMC11280679 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00153.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Since its invention in the late 1980s, the air-liquid-interface (ALI) culture system has been the standard in vitro model for studying human airway biology and pulmonary diseases. However, in a conventional ALI system, cells are cultured on a porous plastic membrane that is much stiffer than human airway tissues. Here, we develop a gel-ALI culture system by simply coating the plastic membrane with a thin layer of hydrogel with tunable stiffness matching that of healthy and fibrotic airway tissues. We determine the optimum gel thickness that does not impair the transport of nutrients and biomolecules essential to cell growth. We show that the gel-ALI system allows human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) to proliferate and differentiate into pseudostratified epithelium. Furthermore, we discover that HBECs migrate significantly faster on hydrogel substrates with stiffness matching that of fibrotic lung tissues, highlighting the importance of mechanical cues in human airway remodeling. The developed gel-ALI system provides a facile approach to studying the effects of mechanical cues in human airway biology and in modeling pulmonary diseases.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In a conventional ALI system, cells are cultured on a plastic membrane that is much stiffer than human airway tissues. We develop a gel-ALI system by coating the plastic membrane with a thin layer of hydrogel with tunable stiffness matching that of healthy and fibrotic airway tissues. We discover that human bronchial epithelial cells migrate significantly faster on hydrogel substrates with pathological stiffness, highlighting the importance of mechanical cues in human airway remodeling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Jian He
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
| | - Catherine Chu
- Soft Biomatter Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
| | - Riley Dickson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
| | - Kenichi Okuda
- Marsico Lung Institute/Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
| | - Li-Heng Cai
- Soft Biomatter Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Xie X, Sauer F, Grosser S, Lippoldt J, Warmt E, Das A, Bi D, Fuhs T, Käs JA. Effect of non-linear strain stiffening in eDAH and unjamming. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:1996-2007. [PMID: 38323652 PMCID: PMC10900305 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00630a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
In cell clusters, the prominent factors at play encompass contractility-based enhanced tissue surface tension and cell unjamming transition. The former effect pertains to the boundary effect, while the latter constitutes a bulk effect. Both effects share outcomes of inducing significant elongation in cells. This elongation is so substantial that it surpasses the limits of linear elasticity, thereby giving rise to additional effects. To investigate these effects, we employ atomic force microscopy (AFM) to analyze how the mechanical properties of individual cells change under such considerable elongation. Our selection of cell lines includes MCF-10A, chosen for its pronounced demonstration of the extended differential adhesion hypothesis (eDAH), and MDA-MB-436, selected due to its manifestation of cell unjamming behavior. In the AFM analyses, we observe a common trend in both cases: as elongation increases, both cell lines exhibit strain stiffening. Notably, this effect is more prominent in MCF-10A compared to MDA-MB-436. Subsequently, we employ AFM on a dynamic range of 1-200 Hz to probe the mechanical characteristics of cell spheroids, focusing on both surface and bulk mechanics. Our findings align with the results from single cell investigations. Specifically, MCF-10A cells, characterized by strong contractile tissue tension, exhibit the greatest stiffness on their surface. Conversely, MDA-MB-436 cells, which experience significant elongation, showcase their highest stiffness within the bulk region. Consequently, the concept of single cell strain stiffening emerges as a crucial element in understanding the mechanics of multicellular spheroids (MCSs), even in the case of MDA-MB-436 cells, which are comparatively softer in nature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Xie
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Frank Sauer
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Steffen Grosser
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Jürgen Lippoldt
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Enrico Warmt
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Amit Das
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dapeng Bi
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Thomas Fuhs
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Josef A Käs
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Cupo C, Allan C, Ailiani V, Kasza KE. Signatures of structural disorder in developing epithelial tissues. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.12.579900. [PMID: 38405955 PMCID: PMC10888831 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.12.579900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Epithelial cells generate functional tissues in developing embryos through collective movements and shape changes. In some morphogenetic events, a tissue dramatically reorganizes its internal structure - often generating high degrees of structural disorder - to accomplish changes in tissue shape. However, the origins of structural disorder in epithelia and what roles it might play in morphogenesis are poorly understood. We study this question in the Drosophila germband epithelium, which undergoes dramatic changes in internal structure as cell rearrangements drive elongation of the embryo body axis. Using two order parameters that quantify volumetric and shear disorder, we show that structural disorder increases during body axis elongation and is strongly linked with specific developmental processes. Both disorder metrics begin to increase around the onset of axis elongation, but then plateau at values that are maintained throughout the process. Notably, the disorder plateau values for volumetric disorder are similar to those for random cell packings, suggesting this may reflect a limit on tissue behavior. In mutant embryos with disrupted external stresses from the ventral furrow, both disorder metrics reach wild-type maximum disorder values with a delay, correlating with delays in cell rearrangements. In contrast, in mutants with disrupted internal stresses and cell rearrangements, volumetric disorder is reduced compared to wild type, whereas shear disorder depends on specific external stress patterns. Together, these findings demonstrate that internal and external stresses both contribute to epithelial tissue disorder and suggest that the maximum values of disorder in a developing tissue reflect physical or biological limits on morphogenesis.
Collapse
|
40
|
Garrone O, La Porta CAM. Artificial Intelligence for Precision Oncology of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Learning from Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:692. [PMID: 38398083 PMCID: PMC10887240 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Thanks to new technologies using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, it is possible to use large amounts of data to try to extract information that can be used for personalized medicine. The great challenge of the future is, on the one hand, to acquire masses of biological data that nowadays are still limited and, on the other hand, to develop innovative strategies to extract information that can then be used for the development of predictive models. From this perspective, we discuss these aspects in the context of triple-negative breast cancer, a tumor where a specific treatment is still lacking and new therapies, such as immunotherapy, are under investigation. Since immunotherapy is already in use for other tumors such as melanoma, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses identified in the use of immunotherapy with melanoma to try to find more successful strategies. It is precisely in this context that AI and predictive tools can be extremely valuable. Therefore, the discoveries and advancements in immunotherapy for melanoma provide a foundation for developing effective immunotherapies for triple-negative breast cancer. Shared principles, such as immune system activation, checkpoint inhibitors, and personalized treatment, can be applied to TNBC to improve patient outcomes and offer new hope for those with aggressive, hard-to-treat breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ornella Garrone
- Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Caterina A. M. La Porta
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Center for Complexity and Biosystems, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Villeneuve C, Hashmi A, Ylivinkka I, Lawson-Keister E, Miroshnikova YA, Pérez-González C, Myllymäki SM, Bertillot F, Yadav B, Zhang T, Matic Vignjevic D, Mikkola ML, Manning ML, Wickström SA. Mechanical forces across compartments coordinate cell shape and fate transitions to generate tissue architecture. Nat Cell Biol 2024; 26:207-218. [PMID: 38302719 PMCID: PMC10866703 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01332-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Morphogenesis and cell state transitions must be coordinated in time and space to produce a functional tissue. An excellent paradigm to understand the coupling of these processes is mammalian hair follicle development, which is initiated by the formation of an epithelial invagination-termed placode-that coincides with the emergence of a designated hair follicle stem cell population. The mechanisms directing the deformation of the epithelium, cell state transitions and physical compartmentalization of the placode are unknown. Here we identify a key role for coordinated mechanical forces stemming from contractile, proliferative and proteolytic activities across the epithelial and mesenchymal compartments in generating the placode structure. A ring of fibroblast cells gradually wraps around the placode cells to generate centripetal contractile forces, which, in collaboration with polarized epithelial myosin activity, promote elongation and local tissue thickening. These mechanical stresses further enhance compartmentalization of Sox9 expression to promote stem cell positioning. Subsequently, proteolytic remodelling locally softens the basement membrane to facilitate a release of pressure on the placode, enabling localized cell divisions, tissue fluidification and epithelial invagination into the underlying mesenchyme. Together, our experiments and modelling identify dynamic cell shape transformations and tissue-scale mechanical cooperation as key factors for orchestrating organ formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clémentine Villeneuve
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Cell and Tissue Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Ali Hashmi
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Irene Ylivinkka
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Yekaterina A Miroshnikova
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Carlos Pérez-González
- Cell Biology and Cancer Unit, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Satu-Marja Myllymäki
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Fabien Bertillot
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Cell and Tissue Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Bhagwan Yadav
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tao Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Marja L Mikkola
- Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - M Lisa Manning
- Department of Physics and BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
| | - Sara A Wickström
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Department of Cell and Tissue Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany.
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Pfeifer CR, Shyer AE, Rodrigues AR. Creative processes during vertebrate organ morphogenesis: Biophysical self-organization at the supracellular scale. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 86:102305. [PMID: 38181658 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Here, we review recent developments in the literature that provide insight into self-organization at supracellular scales in vertebrate organ morphogenesis. We briefly present a historical and conceptual analysis of the term "self-organization." Based on this analysis, we suggest that self-organizing processes, at their root, possess a form of causal relationship, reciprocal causality, that is markedly distinct from linear causal chains. We survey the extent to which reciprocal causality can be used to interpret or clarify supracellular studies in development and disease. Finally, we explore how reciprocal causality can exist across length-scales, identifying situations where multiple scales require simultaneous analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte R Pfeifer
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Amy E Shyer
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alan R Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Pinheiro D, Mitchel J. Pulling the strings on solid-to-liquid phase transitions in cell collectives. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 86:102310. [PMID: 38176350 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Cell collectives must dynamically adapt to different biological contexts. For instance, in homeostatic conditions, epithelia must establish a barrier between body compartments and resist external stresses, while during development, wound healing or cancer invasion, these tissues undergo extensive remodeling. Using analogies from inert, passive materials, changes in cellular density, shape, rearrangements and/or migration were shown to result in collective transitions between solid and fluid states. However, what biological mechanisms govern these transitions remains an open question. In particular, the upstream signaling pathways and molecular effectors controlling the key physical axes determining tissue rheology and dynamics remain poorly understood. In this perspective, we focus on emerging evidence identifying the first biological signals determining the collective state of living tissues, with an emphasis on how these mechanisms are exploited for functionality across biological contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Pinheiro
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, 1030, Austria
| | - Jennifer Mitchel
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Armengol-Collado JM, Carenza LN, Giomi L. Hydrodynamics and multiscale order in confluent epithelia. eLife 2024; 13:e86400. [PMID: 38189410 PMCID: PMC10963026 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
We formulate a hydrodynamic theory of confluent epithelia: i.e. monolayers of epithelial cells adhering to each other without gaps. Taking advantage of recent progresses toward establishing a general hydrodynamic theory of p-atic liquid crystals, we demonstrate that collectively migrating epithelia feature both nematic (i.e. p = 2) and hexatic (i.e. p = 6) orders, with the former being dominant at large and the latter at small length scales. Such a remarkable multiscale liquid crystal order leaves a distinct signature in the system's structure factor, which exhibits two different power-law scaling regimes, reflecting both the hexagonal geometry of small cells clusters and the uniaxial structure of the global cellular flow. We support these analytical predictions with two different cell-resolved models of epithelia - i.e. the self-propelled Voronoi model and the multiphase field model - and highlight how momentum dissipation and noise influence the range of fluctuations at small length scales, thereby affecting the degree of cooperativity between cells. Our construction provides a theoretical framework to conceptualize the recent observation of multiscale order in layers of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells and pave the way for further theoretical developments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luca Giomi
- Instituut-Lorentz, Leiden UniversityLeidenNetherlands
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Hertaeg MJ, Fielding SM, Bi D. Discontinuous Shear Thickening in Biological Tissue Rheology. PHYSICAL REVIEW. X 2024; 14:011027. [PMID: 38994232 PMCID: PMC11238743 DOI: 10.1103/physrevx.14.011027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
During embryonic morphogenesis, tissues undergo dramatic deformations in order to form functional organs. Similarly, in adult animals, living cells and tissues are continually subjected to forces and deformations. Therefore, the success of embryonic development and the proper maintenance of physiological functions rely on the ability of cells to withstand mechanical stresses as well as their ability to flow in a collective manner. During these events, mechanical perturbations can originate from active processes at the single-cell level, competing with external stresses exerted by surrounding tissues and organs. However, the study of tissue mechanics has been somewhat limited to either the response to external forces or to intrinsic ones. In this work, we use an active vertex model of a 2D confluent tissue to study the interplay of external deformations that are applied globally to a tissue with internal active stresses that arise locally at the cellular level due to cell motility. We elucidate, in particular, the way in which this interplay between globally external and locally internal active driving determines the emergent mechanical properties of the tissue as a whole. For a tissue in the vicinity of a solid-fluid jamming or unjamming transition, we uncover a host of fascinating rheological phenomena, including yielding, shear thinning, continuous shear thickening, and discontinuous shear thickening. These model predictions provide a framework for understanding the recently observed nonlinear rheological behaviors in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Hertaeg
- Department of Physics, Durham University, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanne M Fielding
- Department of Physics, Durham University, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Dapeng Bi
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Gooshvar S, Madhu G, Ruszczyk M, Prakash VN. Non-Bilaterians as Model Systems for Tissue Mechanics. Integr Comp Biol 2023; 63:1442-1454. [PMID: 37355780 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In animals, epithelial tissues are barriers against the external environment, providing protection against biological, chemical, and physical damage. Depending on the organism's physiology and behavior, these tissues encounter different types of mechanical forces and need to provide a suitable adaptive response to ensure success. Therefore, understanding tissue mechanics in different contexts is an important research area. Here, we review recent tissue mechanics discoveries in three early divergent non-bilaterian systems-Trichoplax adhaerens, Hydra vulgaris, and Aurelia aurita. We highlight each animal's simple body plan and biology and unique, rapid tissue remodeling phenomena that play a crucial role in its physiology. We also discuss the emergent large-scale mechanics in these systems that arise from small-scale phenomena. Finally, we emphasize the potential of these non-bilaterian animals to be model systems in a bottom-up approach for further investigation in tissue mechanics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Setareh Gooshvar
- Department of Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Miami, 33146 FL, USA
| | - Gopika Madhu
- Department of Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Miami, 33146 FL, USA
| | - Melissa Ruszczyk
- Department of Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Miami, 33146 FL, USA
| | - Vivek N Prakash
- Department of Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Miami, 33146 FL, USA
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Miami, 33146 FL, USA
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Miami, 33149 FL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Guan LY, Lin SZ, Chen PC, Lv JQ, Li B, Feng XQ. Interfacial Organization and Forces Arising from Epithelial-Cancerous Monolayer Interactions. ACS NANO 2023; 17:24668-24684. [PMID: 38091551 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c03990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
The interfacial interactions between epithelia and cancer cells have profound relevance for tumor development and metastasis. Through monolayer confrontation of MCF10A (nontumorigenic human breast epithelial cells) and MDA-MB-231 (human epithelial breast cancer cells) cells, we investigate the epithelial-cancerous interfacial interactions at the tissue level. We show that the monolayer interaction leads to competitive interfacial morphodynamics and drives an intricate spatial organization of MCF10A cells into multicellular finger-like structures, which further branch into multiple subfinger-like structures. These hierarchical interfacial structures penetrate the cancer monolayer and can spontaneously segregate or even envelop cancer cell clusters, consistent with our theoretical prediction. By tracking the substrate displacements via embedded fluorescent nanobeads and implementing nanomechanical modeling that combines atomic force microscopy and finite element simulations, we computed mechanical force patterns, including traction forces and monolayer stresses, caused by the monolayer interaction. It is found that the heterogeneous mechanical forces accumulated in the monolayers are able to squeeze cancer cells, leading to three-dimensional interfacial bulges or cell extrusion, initiating the p53 apoptosis signaling pathways of cancer cells. We reveal that intercellular E-cadherin and P-cadherin of epithelial cells differentially regulate the interfacial organization including migration speed, directionality, spatial correlation, F-actin alignment, and subcellular protrusions of MCF10A cells; whereas E-cadherin governs interfacial geometry that is relevant to force localization and cancer cell extrusion, P-cadherin maintains interfacial integrity that enables long-range force transmission. Our findings suggest that the collaborative molecular and mechanical behaviors are crucial for preventing epithelial tissues from undergoing tumor invasion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liu-Yuan Guan
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Shao-Zhen Lin
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Peng-Cheng Chen
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jian-Qing Lv
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Bo Li
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xi-Qiao Feng
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Tah I, Haertter D, Crawford JM, Kiehart DP, Schmidt CF, Liu AJ. Minimal vertex model explains how the amnioserosa avoids fluidization during Drosophila dorsal closure. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.20.572544. [PMID: 38187730 PMCID: PMC10769242 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.20.572544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Dorsal closure is a process that occurs during embryogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster . During dorsal closure, the amnioserosa (AS), a one-cell thick epithelial tissue that fills the dorsal opening, shrinks as the lateral epidermis sheets converge and eventually merge. During this process, the aspect ratio of amnioserosa cells increases markedly. The standard 2-dimensional vertex model, which successfully describes tissue sheet mechanics in multiple contexts, would in this case predict that the tissue should fluidize via cell neighbor changes. Surprisingly, however, the amnioserosa remains an elastic solid with no such events. We here present a minimal extension to the vertex model that explains how the amnioserosa can achieve this unexpected behavior. We show that continuous shrinkage of the preferred cell perimeter and cell perimeter polydispersity lead to the retention of the solid state of the amnioserosa. Our model accurately captures measured cell shape and orientation changes and predicts non-monotonic junction tension that we confirm with laser ablation experiments. Significance Statement During embryogenesis, cells in tissues can undergo significant shape changes. Many epithelial tissues fluidize, i.e. cells exchange neighbors, when the average cell aspect ratio increases above a threshold value, consistent with the standard vertex model. During dorsal closure in Drosophila melanogaster , however, the amnioserosa tissue remains solid even as the average cell aspect ratio increases well above threshold. We introduce perimeter polydispersity and allow the preferred cell perimeters, usually held fixed in vertex models, to decrease linearly with time as seen experimentally. With these extensions to the standard vertex model, we capture experimental observations quantitatively. Our results demonstrate that vertex models can describe the behavior of the amnioserosa in dorsal closure by allowing normally fixed parameters to vary with time.
Collapse
|
49
|
Tah I, Haertter D, Crawford JM, Kiehart DP, Schmidt CF, Liu AJ. Minimal vertex model explains how the amnioserosa avoids fluidization during Drosophila dorsal closure. ARXIV 2023:arXiv:2312.12926v1. [PMID: 38196754 PMCID: PMC10775355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Dorsal closure is a process that occurs during embryogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster. During dorsal closure, the amnioserosa (AS), a one-cell thick epithelial tissue that fills the dorsal opening, shrinks as the lateral epidermis sheets converge and eventually merge. During this process, the aspect ratio of amnioserosa cells increases markedly. The standard 2-dimensional vertex model, which successfully describes tissue sheet mechanics in multiple contexts, would in this case predict that the tissue should fluidize via cell neighbor changes. Surprisingly, however, the amnioserosa remains an elastic solid with no such events. We here present a minimal extension to the vertex model that explains how the amnioserosa can achieve this unexpected behavior. We show that continuous shrink-age of the preferred cell perimeter and cell perimeter polydispersity lead to the retention of the solid state of the amnioserosa. Our model accurately captures measured cell shape and orientation changes and predicts non-monotonic junction tension that we confirm with laser ablation experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Indrajit Tah
- Speciality Glass Division, CSIR-Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata, India
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Daniel Haertter
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center and Campus Institute Data Science (CIDAS), University of Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Physics and Soft Matter Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | - Andrea J. Liu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Ahmed DW, Eiken MK, DePalma SJ, Helms AS, Zemans RL, Spence JR, Baker BM, Loebel C. Integrating mechanical cues with engineered platforms to explore cardiopulmonary development and disease. iScience 2023; 26:108472. [PMID: 38077130 PMCID: PMC10698280 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Mechanical forces provide critical biological signals to cells during healthy and aberrant organ development as well as during disease processes in adults. Within the cardiopulmonary system, mechanical forces, such as shear, compressive, and tensile forces, act across various length scales, and dysregulated forces are often a leading cause of disease initiation and progression such as in bronchopulmonary dysplasia and cardiomyopathies. Engineered in vitro models have supported studies of mechanical forces in a number of tissue and disease-specific contexts, thus enabling new mechanistic insights into cardiopulmonary development and disease. This review first provides fundamental examples where mechanical forces operate at multiple length scales to ensure precise lung and heart function. Next, we survey recent engineering platforms and tools that have provided new means to probe and modulate mechanical forces across in vitro and in vivo settings. Finally, the potential for interdisciplinary collaborations to inform novel therapeutic approaches for a number of cardiopulmonary diseases are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donia W. Ahmed
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Lurie Biomedical Engineering Building, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Madeline K. Eiken
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Lurie Biomedical Engineering Building, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Samuel J. DePalma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Lurie Biomedical Engineering Building, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Adam S. Helms
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Rachel L. Zemans
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine – Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jason R. Spence
- Department of Internal Medicine – Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Brendon M. Baker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Lurie Biomedical Engineering Building, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Claudia Loebel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Lurie Biomedical Engineering Building, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| |
Collapse
|