Active superelasticity in three-dimensional epithelia of controlled shape

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Cell Biology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Epithelial sheets form essential curved structures in biological systems.
• Understanding how these tissues deform and maintain integrity under pressure is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanical properties of epithelial sheets during development and deformation.
• To elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying tissue superelasticity.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of epithelial dome arrays with controlled geometry.
• Measurement of epithelial tension and luminal pressure.
• Theoretical modeling of tissue mechanics.

Main Results:

• Epithelial sheets exhibit a 'tensional plateau' over large areal strains, behaving as active superelastic materials.
• Cellular-level strains are highly heterogeneous, contrasting with uniform tissue tension.
• Stretch-induced actin cortex dilution and intermediate filament rescue drive this superelasticity.

Conclusions:

• Epithelial sheets display active superelasticity, a novel mechanical behavior.
• This property enables tissues to withstand extreme stretching while maintaining constant tension.
• The findings reveal a new mechanism for tissue morphogenesis and adaptation.