Biomechanics of cell rearrangements in Drosophila

To acquire their adequate size and shape, living tissues grow and substantially deform as they develop. To do so, the cells making up the tissue can grow and deform as well, but they can also divide, intercalate and die. Among those cell behaviors, cell intercalation, also named cell rearrangement, is a major contributor to the morphogenesis of many cohesive tissues since it enables tissues to drastically deform as they develop while keeping their cohesiveness and avoiding extreme deformation of their cells. Here we review the mechanical principles and biological regulations at play during cell rearrangements in Drosophila tissues by first describing them in other cellular materials and by categorizing them. We then briefly discuss their quantifications and their interplay with other cell processes.