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Extra-embryonic tissue spreading directs early embryo morphogenesis in killifish
Germán Reig1,2, Mauricio Cerda1,2, Néstor Sepúlveda3
1Anatomy and Developmental Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, PO Box 70031, Santiago, Chile.
Nature Communications
|June 6, 2017
Summary
The extra-embryonic epithelium guides embryonic tissue spreading through mechanical signals, revealing a novel mechanism for embryo morphogenesis. This study illuminates how cell layers coordinate during early development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Cell biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Mesenchymal-like cell spreading is vital for embryo development and tissue repair.
- Understanding in vivo tissue spreading mechanisms remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the principles of tissue spreading in a simplified embryonic environment.
- To elucidate the role of the extra-embryonic epithelium in directing embryonic cell migration.
Main Methods:
- In vivo experimentation using the annual killifish embryo.
- Physical modeling of cell-tissue interactions.
- Analysis of cell membrane adhesion and tension.
Main Results:
- The extra-embryonic epithelial layer actively directs embryonic tissue spreading.
- Embryonic cells couple their motility to expansion signals from the extra-embryonic epithelium.
- Cell membrane adhesion and tension mediate this coupling.
Conclusions:
- A novel mechanism of extra-embryonic control over embryo morphogenesis is presented.
- Mechanical coupling between adjacent tissues regulates early embryonic development.
- The extra-embryonic epithelium plays a crucial role beyond protection in embryo morphogenesis.
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