Spatial and temporal regulations in helicoidal extracellular matrices: comparison between plant and animal systems

This paper proposes an overview of the last few years' investigations regarding the helicoid formation in extracellular matrices (ECMs). Despite the architectural polymorphism displayed among the layered ECM throughout the living kingdom, helicoidal structures are often described in ECMs and appear as an optimal mechanical device. Helicoids correspond to complex two-phases composites, formation and regulation of which are still a source of debate. Taking the time-event into consideration, it is clear that helicoid in ECMs are regulable structures. On the other hand, analogies with helicoidal formations in cholesteric liquid crystals strongly support the hypothesis of involvement of self-assembly processes. Therefore the balance between self-assemblies and cell regulation is questioned. By gathering animal and plant data on the topic and by analysing the characteristics of these helicoids in ECMs, it is clear that cells have the necessary machinery to interfere with the self-assembly processes in response to physiological or mechanical mechanisms. They are able to modify the physicochemical conditions outside the plasma membrane, therefore acting on the pattern of self-assembly. Several mechanisms are proposed to explain sudden variations occurring in the helicoidal formation with time.