Mechanisms of cell height changes that mediate epithelial invagination

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Cell Biology
• Morphogenesis

Background:

• Epithelial invagination converts flat epithelia into tubular structures, essential for organogenesis.
• Apical constriction is a key driver, but cell height control mechanisms are less understood.
• Recent advances illuminate cytoskeletal changes, cell adhesion, and cytoplasmic flow in cell height regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in understanding cell height control during epithelial invagination.
• To highlight the coordination of cell shape changes in this morphogenetic process.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent technical advances and studies.
• Focus on mechanisms controlling cell height, including cytoskeletal dynamics, cortical tension, cell adhesion, and cytoplasmic flow.
• Consideration of cell height changes during mitosis and apoptosis.

Main Results:

• Apical constriction is well-characterized, but cell height control mechanisms are emerging.
• Cytoskeletal rearrangements, cortical tension, cell adhesion, and cytoplasmic flow are identified regulators of cell height.
• Mitosis and apoptosis-associated cell height changes contribute to invagination.

Conclusions:

• Understanding cell height control is critical for a comprehensive view of epithelial invagination.
• Coordination of various cell shape changes, particularly cell height, is essential for proper organ development.