Cellular Forces in Morphogenesis

2014 ◽  
pp. 276-301
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Forces

scholarly journals Real-time imaging of cellular forces using optical interference

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew T. Meek ◽  
Nils M. Kronenberg ◽  
Andrew Morton ◽  
Philipp Liehm ◽  
Jan Murawski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Real Time ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Mechanical Activity ◽  
Dynamic Processes ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
Neonatal Cardiomyocytes ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Cellular Forces ◽  
Time Acquisition

AbstractImportant dynamic processes in mechanobiology remain elusive due to a lack of tools to image the small cellular forces at play with sufficient speed and throughput. Here, we introduce a fast, interference-based force imaging method that uses the illumination of an elastic deformable microcavity with two rapidly alternating wavelengths to map forces. We show real-time acquisition and processing of data, obtain images of mechanical activity while scanning across a cell culture, and investigate sub-second fluctuations of the piconewton forces exerted by macrophage podosomes. We also demonstrate force imaging of beating neonatal cardiomyocytes at 100 fps which reveals mechanical aspects of spontaneous oscillatory contraction waves in between the main contraction cycles. These examples illustrate the wider potential of our technique for monitoring cellular forces with high throughput and excellent temporal resolution.

Modeling the finger instability in an expanding cell monolayer

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 1218-1227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Tarle ◽  
Andrea Ravasio ◽  
Vincent Hakim ◽  
Nir S. Gov
Keyword(s):  
Cell Monolayer ◽  
Cellular Forces

Curvature-controlled cellular forces at the edge of an expanding monolayer are sufficient for the initiation and growth of finger-like instability.

scholarly journals Cell–cell adhesion interface: orthogonal and parallel forces from contraction, protrusion, and retraction

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 1544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivian W. Tang
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Epithelial Cell ◽  
Mechanical Force ◽  
Cell Behavior ◽  
Cellular Forces ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Cell Interface ◽  
Lateral Cell ◽  
Strength Of Adhesion ◽  
Cell Cell

The epithelial lateral membrane plays a central role in the integration of intercellular signals and, by doing so, is a principal determinant in the emerging properties of epithelial tissues. Mechanical force, when applied to the lateral cell–cell interface, can modulate the strength of adhesion and influence intercellular dynamics. Yet the relationship between mechanical force and epithelial cell behavior is complex and not completely understood. This commentary aims to provide an investigative look at the usage of cellular forces at the epithelial cell–cell adhesion interface.

scholarly journals Strong triaxial coupling and anomalous Poisson effect in collagen networks

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (14) ◽  
pp. 6790-6799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehsan Ban ◽  
Hailong Wang ◽  
J. Matthew Franklin ◽  
Jan T. Liphardt ◽  
Paul A. Janmey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fold Increase ◽  
Elastic Stiffness ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Poisson Effect ◽  
Fiber Networks ◽  
Fiber Tracts ◽  
Cellular Forces ◽  
Multiaxial Deformations ◽  
Principal Strains

While cells within tissues generate and sense 3D states of strain, the current understanding of the mechanics of fibrous extracellular matrices (ECMs) stems mainly from uniaxial, biaxial, and shear tests. Here, we demonstrate that the multiaxial deformations of fiber networks in 3D cannot be inferred solely based on these tests. The interdependence of the three principal strains gives rise to anomalous ratios of biaxial to uniaxial stiffness between 8 and 9 and apparent Poisson’s ratios larger than 1. These observations are explained using a microstructural network model and a coarse-grained constitutive framework that predicts the network Poisson effect and stress–strain responses in uniaxial, biaxial, and triaxial modes of deformation as a function of the microstructural properties of the network, including fiber mechanics and pore size of the network. Using this theoretical approach, we found that accounting for the Poisson effect leads to a 100-fold increase in the perceived elastic stiffness of thin collagen samples in extension tests, reconciling the seemingly disparate measurements of the stiffness of collagen networks using different methods. We applied our framework to study the formation of fiber tracts induced by cellular forces. In vitro experiments with low-density networks showed that the anomalous Poisson effect facilitates higher densification of fibrous tracts, associated with the invasion of cancerous acinar cells. The approach developed here can be used to model the evolving mechanics of ECM during cancer invasion and fibrosis.

scholarly journals Mechanical principles of nuclear shaping and positioning

2018 ◽  
Vol 217 (10) ◽  
pp. 3330-3342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanmay P. Lele ◽  
Richard B. Dickinson ◽  
Gregg G. Gundersen
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Mechanical Resistance ◽  
Nuclear Surface ◽  
Nuclear Movement ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Force Transfer ◽  
Nuclear Shaping ◽  
Resistance To Deformation ◽  
Cellular Forces

Positioning and shaping the nucleus represents a mechanical challenge for the migrating cell because of its large size and resistance to deformation. Cells shape and position the nucleus by transmitting forces from the cytoskeleton onto the nuclear surface. This force transfer can occur through specialized linkages between the nuclear envelope and the cytoskeleton. In response, the nucleus can deform and/or it can move. Nuclear movement will occur when there is a net differential in mechanical force across the nucleus, while nuclear deformation will occur when mechanical forces overcome the mechanical resistance of the various structures that comprise the nucleus. In this perspective, we review current literature on the sources and magnitude of cellular forces exerted on the nucleus, the nuclear envelope proteins involved in transferring cellular forces, and the contribution of different nuclear structural components to the mechanical response of the nucleus to these forces.

scholarly journals Integration of contractile forces during tissue invagination

2010 ◽  
Vol 188 (5) ◽  
pp. 735-749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam C. Martin ◽  
Michael Gelbart ◽  
Rodrigo Fernandez-Gonzalez ◽  
Matthias Kaschube ◽  
Eric F. Wieschaus
Keyword(s):  
Cell Shape ◽  
Control Cell ◽  
Adherens Junction ◽  
Tissue Level ◽  
Epithelial Morphogenesis ◽  
Apical Constriction ◽  
Contractile Forces ◽  
Actomyosin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Cellular Forces ◽  
Anterior Posterior

Contractile forces generated by the actomyosin cytoskeleton within individual cells collectively generate tissue-level force during epithelial morphogenesis. During Drosophila mesoderm invagination, pulsed actomyosin meshwork contractions and a ratchet-like stabilization of cell shape drive apical constriction. Here, we investigate how contractile forces are integrated across the tissue. Reducing adherens junction (AJ) levels or ablating actomyosin meshworks causes tissue-wide epithelial tears, which release tension that is predominantly oriented along the anterior–posterior (a-p) embryonic axis. Epithelial tears allow cells normally elongated along the a-p axis to constrict isotropically, which suggests that apical constriction generates anisotropic epithelial tension that feeds back to control cell shape. Epithelial tension requires the transcription factor Twist, which stabilizes apical myosin II, promoting the formation of a supracellular actomyosin meshwork in which radial actomyosin fibers are joined end-to-end at spot AJs. Thus, pulsed actomyosin contractions require a supracellular, tensile meshwork to transmit cellular forces to the tissue level during morphogenesis.

scholarly journals A Force Based Model of Individual Cell Migration With Discrete Attachment Sites and Random Switching Terms

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Dallon ◽  
Matthew Scott ◽  
W. V. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Individual Cell ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cell Binding ◽  
Stochastic Nature ◽  
Attachment Sites ◽  
Random Switching ◽  
Cell Motion ◽  
Cellular Forces ◽  
Insight Into

A force based model of cell migration is presented which gives new insight into the importance of the dynamics of cell binding to the substrate. The main features of the model are the focus on discrete attachment dynamics, the treatment of the cellular forces as springs, and an incorporation of the stochastic nature of the attachment sites. One goal of the model is to capture the effect of the random binding and unbinding of cell attachments on global cell motion. Simulations reveal one of the most important factor influencing cell speed is the duration of the attachment to the substrate. The model captures the correct velocity and force relationships for several cell types.

scholarly journals Extracellular Forces Cause the Nucleus to Deform in a Highly Controlled Anisotropic Manner

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Haase ◽  
Joan K. L. Macadangdang ◽  
Claire H. Edrington ◽  
Charles M. Cuerrier ◽  
Sebastian Hadjiantoniou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fate ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Undifferentiated Cell ◽  
Cell Nuclei ◽  
Intact Cells ◽  
Profound Impact ◽  
Cellular Environment ◽  
Physical Forces ◽  
Cellular Forces ◽  
Functional Purpose

Physical forces arising in the extra-cellular environment have a profound impact on cell fate and gene regulation; however the underlying biophysical mechanisms that control this sensitivity remain elusive. It is hypothesized that gene expression may be influenced by the physical deformation of the nucleus in response to force. Here, using 3T3s as a model, we demonstrate that extra-cellular forces cause cell nuclei to rapidly deform (< 1 s) preferentially along their shorter nuclear axis, in an anisotropic manner. Nuclear anisotropy is shown to be regulated by the cytoskeleton within intact cells, with actin and microtubules resistant to orthonormal strains. Importantly, nuclear anisotropy is intrinsic, and observed in isolated nuclei. The sensitivity of this behaviour is influenced by chromatin organization and lamin-A expression. An anisotropic response to force was also highly conserved amongst an array of examined nuclei from differentiated and undifferentiated cell types. Although the functional purpose of this conserved material property remains elusive, it may provide a mechanism through which mechanical cues in the microenvironment are rapidly transmitted to the genome.

scholarly journals Integer topological defects organize stresses driving tissue morphogenesis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pau Guillamat ◽  
Carles Blanch-Mercader ◽  
Karsten Kruse ◽  
Aurélien Roux
Keyword(s):  
Topological Defects ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
Tissue Architecture ◽  
Tissue Morphogenesis ◽  
Compressive Stresses ◽  
Cellular Forces ◽  
Stress Patterns

AbstractTissues acquire their function and shape via differentiation and morphogenesis. Both processes are driven by coordinating cellular forces and shapes at the tissue scale, but general principles governing this interplay remain to be discovered. Here, we report that self-organization of myoblasts around integer topological defects, namely spirals and asters, triggers localized differentiation and, when differentiation is inhibited, drives the growth of cylindrical multicellular protrusions. Both localized differentiation and growth require specific stress patterns. By analyzing the experimental velocity and orientation profiles through active gel theory, we show that integer topological defects can concentrate compressive stresses, which we measure by using deformable pillars. Altogether, we envision topological defects as mechanical organizational centers that control differentiation and morphogenesis to establish tissue architecture.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document