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Elasticity, Stability, and Quasioscillations of Cell-Cell Junctions in Solid Confluent Epithelia.

Clément Zankoc1, Matej Krajnc1

  • 1Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

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|October 21, 2020
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Cell junction dynamics govern tissue shape. Our model shows myosin turnover and cell arrangement influence junction stability, driving tissue remodeling and rearrangements.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Macroscopic tissue properties are determined by microscopic cell-cell junction remodeling.
  • Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developmental processes like embryonic morphogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a theoretical framework linking cell-cell junction dynamics to tissue-scale properties.
  • To investigate how actomyosin contractility and cell arrangement influence junction stability and tissue rearrangement.

Main Methods:

  • Coupling a vertex model of solid confluent tissues with the dynamics of local force dipole generation in junctional actomyosin.
  • Analyzing the effects of myosin turnover rate, noise, cell arrangements, and junctional rest tensions.

Main Results:

  • Junctions can maintain stable length or collapse based on myosin turnover rate, initiating cell rearrangements.
  • Noise can sustain transient oscillations, leading to quasiperiodic junctional dynamics.
  • Junctional stability is modulated by cell arrangements and junctional rest tensions.

Conclusions:

  • The proposed theoretical framework provides insights into cell-cell junction remodeling and its impact on tissue morphogenesis.
  • Findings may explain junctional collapse mechanisms observed during embryonic development, such as convergence and extension.