Why and how the nematode's early embryogenesis can be precise and robust: a mechanical perspective

The early embryogenesis in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is well-known for its stereotypic precision of cell arrangements and their lineage relationship. Much research has been focused on how biochemical processes achieve the highly reproducible cell lineage tree. However, the origin of the robustness in the cell arrangements is poorly understood. Here, we set out to provide a mechanistic explanation of how combining mechanical forces with the order and orientation of cell division ensures a robust arrangement of cells. We used a simplified mechanical model to simulate the arrangement of cells in the face of different disturbances. As a result, we revealed three fail-safe principles for cell self-organization in early nematode embryogenesis: ordering, simultaneity, and the division orientation of cell division events. Our work provides insight into the developmental strategy and contributes to the understanding of how robust or variable the cell arrangement can be in developing embryos.