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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.
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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.
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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:S0960-9822(24)00822-4. [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] [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.
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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.
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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.
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Rozman J, Yeomans JM, Sknepnek R. Shape-Tension Coupling Produces Nematic Order in an Epithelium Vertex Model. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 131:228301. [PMID: 38101347 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.131.228301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
We study the vertex model for epithelial tissue mechanics extended to include coupling between the cell shapes and tensions in cell-cell junctions. This coupling represents an active force which drives the system out of equilibrium and leads to the formation of nematic order interspersed with prominent, long-lived +1 defects. The defects in the nematic ordering are coupled to the shape of the cell tiling, affecting cell areas and coordinations. This intricate interplay between cell shape, size, and coordination provides a possible mechanism by which tissues could spontaneously develop long-range polarity through local mechanical forces without resorting to long-range chemical patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Rozman
- Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
| | - Julia M Yeomans
- Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
| | - Rastko Sknepnek
- School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, United Kingdom
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
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Herrera-Perez RM, Cupo C, Allan C, Dagle AB, Kasza KE. Tissue flows are tuned by actomyosin-dependent mechanics in developing embryos. PRX LIFE 2023; 1:013004. [PMID: 38736460 PMCID: PMC11086709 DOI: 10.1103/prxlife.1.013004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Rapid epithelial tissue flows are essential to building and shaping developing embryos. However, the mechanical properties of embryonic epithelial tissues and the factors that control these properties are not well understood. Actomyosin generates contractile tensions and contributes to the mechanical properties of cells and cytoskeletal networks in vitro, but it remains unclear how the levels and patterns of actomyosin activity contribute to embryonic epithelial tissue mechanics in vivo. To dissect the roles of cell-generated tensions in the mechanics of flowing epithelial tissues, we use optogenetic tools to manipulate actomyosin contractility with spatiotemporal precision in the Drosophila germband epithelium, which rapidly flows during body axis elongation. We find that manipulating actomyosin-dependent tensions by either optogenetic activation or deactivation of actomyosin alters the solid-fluid mechanical properties of the germband epithelium, leading to changes in cell rearrangements and tissue-level flows. Optogenetically activating actomyosin leads to increases in the overall level but decreases in the anisotropy of tension in the tissue, whereas optogenetically deactivating actomyosin leads to decreases in both the level and anisotropy of tension compared to in wild-type embryos. We find that optogenetically activating actomyosin results in more solid-like (less fluid-like) tissue properties, which is associated with reduced cell rearrangements and tissue flow compared to in wild-type embryos. Optogenetically deactivating actomyosin also results in more solid-like properties than in wild-type embryos but less solid-like properties compared to optogenetically activating actomyosin. Together, these findings indicate that increasing the overall tension level is associated with more solid-like properties in tissues that are relatively isotropic, whereas high tension anisotropy fluidizes the tissue. Our results reveal that epithelial tissue flows in developing embryos involve the coordinated actomyosin-dependent regulation of the mechanical properties of tissues and the tensions driving them to flow in order to achieve rapid tissue remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian Cupo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York, 10027, USA
| | - Cole Allan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York, 10027, USA
| | - Alicia B Dagle
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York, 10027, USA
| | - Karen E Kasza
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York, 10027, USA
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Yanagida A, Corujo-Simon E, Revell CK, Sahu P, Stirparo GG, Aspalter IM, Winkel AK, Peters R, De Belly H, Cassani DAD, Achouri S, Blumenfeld R, Franze K, Hannezo E, Paluch EK, Nichols J, Chalut KJ. Cell surface fluctuations regulate early embryonic lineage sorting. Cell 2022; 185:777-793.e20. [PMID: 35196500 PMCID: PMC8896887 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In development, lineage segregation is coordinated in time and space. An important example is the mammalian inner cell mass, in which the primitive endoderm (PrE, founder of the yolk sac) physically segregates from the epiblast (EPI, founder of the fetus). While the molecular requirements have been well studied, the physical mechanisms determining spatial segregation between EPI and PrE remain elusive. Here, we investigate the mechanical basis of EPI and PrE sorting. We find that rather than the differences in static cell surface mechanical parameters as in classical sorting models, it is the differences in surface fluctuations that robustly ensure physical lineage sorting. These differential surface fluctuations systematically correlate with differential cellular fluidity, which we propose together constitute a non-equilibrium sorting mechanism for EPI and PrE lineages. By combining experiments and modeling, we identify cell surface dynamics as a key factor orchestrating the correct spatial segregation of the founder embryonic lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaka Yanagida
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Elena Corujo-Simon
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Christopher K Revell
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Ave, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Preeti Sahu
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | - Giuliano G Stirparo
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Irene M Aspalter
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Alex K Winkel
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Ruby Peters
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Henry De Belly
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Davide A D Cassani
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Sarra Achouri
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Raphael Blumenfeld
- Gonville & Caius College, University of Cambridge, Trinity St., Cambridge CB2 1TA, UK
| | - Kristian Franze
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Edouard Hannezo
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
| | - Ewa K Paluch
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK.
| | - Jennifer Nichols
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK.
| | - Kevin J Chalut
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK.
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