Fluid pumping and active flexoelectricity can promote lumen nucleation in cell assemblies

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Tissue Engineering
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Lumen formation is critical for tissue development and function.
• Understanding the physical mechanisms governing lumen nucleation is essential for regenerative medicine and developmental biology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the physical mechanisms promoting or suppressing fluid-filled lumen nucleation in cell assemblies and tissues.
• To explore the role of fluid pumping and active electrical effects in lumen formation within a continuum theory framework.

Main Methods:

• Development of a continuum theory describing tissue material properties as a two-fluid system.
• Inclusion of interstitial fluid permeation, fluid pumping, and active electrical effects.
• Analysis of a spherical geometry and polarized tissue model.

Main Results:

• Fluid pumping and tissue flexoelectricity are identified as crucial factors in lumen formation.
• The study reveals a variety of accessible long-time states for cell aggregates and their lumens.
• A significant role for the coupling of mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic phenomena is demonstrated.

Conclusions:

• The physical mechanisms of lumen formation are complex, involving coupled transport phenomena.
• Flexoelectricity and fluid pumping are key drivers in the development of cellular lumens.
• This research provides insights into tissue morphogenesis and the design of engineered tissues.