Adaptive viscoelasticity of epithelial cell junctions: from models to methods

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biophysics
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Epithelial morphogenesis depends on cells' mechanical properties, regulated by cell-cell interface signaling.
• Understanding junctional viscoelasticity is key to dissecting mechanical deformations and their molecular basis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss novel techniques for directly measuring junctional mechanics.
• To present the concept of adaptive tissue viscoelasticity and relevant Vertex Models.

Main Methods:

• Direct measurement of junction rheology.
• Application of Vertex Models and their adaptations.
• Optogenetic manipulation of cell junctions.

Main Results:

• Pioneering studies reveal insights into contractile forces and junction deformations.
• Novel techniques enable experimental tractability of junction viscoelasticity.
• Adaptive tissue viscoelasticity demonstrated through optogenetic manipulation.

Conclusions:

• Direct measurement of junctional mechanics provides mechanistic insights into morphogenesis.
• Vertex Models capture experimental data on tissue mechanics.
• Further research into the material basis of tissue morphogenesis is warranted.