Engineering tools for quantifying and manipulating forces in epithelia.

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Cell Biology
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Epithelial integrity is crucial for tissue development and homeostasis, relying on dynamic mechanical environments.
• Understanding how epithelial cells sense and respond to mechanical forces is key to deciphering developmental and pathological processes.
• Mimicking and measuring mechanical forces in epithelial systems presents significant experimental challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize in vitro and in silico approaches for studying mechanical signaling in epithelia.
• To guide researchers in selecting appropriate reduced-order model systems for investigating epithelial mechanobiology.
• To highlight the integration of theoretical and experimental models for predicting epithelial behavior.

Main Methods:

• Review of various in vitro model systems including 3D, 2D, and 1D micromanipulation.
• Discussion of single-cell studies and noninvasive force inference/measurement techniques.
• Highlighting in silico biophysical models informed by experimental observations.

Main Results:

• Various experimental models offer unique advantages and disadvantages for studying epithelial mechanics.
• In vitro approaches are essential for dissecting the role of mechanics in epithelial organization.
• In silico models, when combined with experimental data, provide predictive insights.

Conclusions:

• A combination of diverse experimental models and computational approaches is necessary to fully understand epithelial mechanosignaling.
• Future research should leverage these integrated models to advance the study of tissue development and disease.
• Improved understanding of mechanically driven epithelial dynamics is critical for regenerative medicine and disease research.