Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Fibronectins Connect Cells with ECM01:25

Fibronectins Connect Cells with ECM

2.4K
Fibronectin is an adhesive glycoprotein present in the extracellular matrix of embryogenic and adult tissue. These molecules primarily aid in regulating cell motility and attachment. A fibronectin molecule is composed of two identical polypeptide chains attached to each other by a pair of disulfide bonds at the C-terminal.
Both proteoglycans and collagen are attached to fibronectin proteins, which, in turn, are attached to integrin proteins. These integrin proteins interact with transmembrane...
2.4K
Introduction to Fibroblasts01:09

Introduction to Fibroblasts

3.1K
Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...
3.1K
Phases of Wound Repair01:28

Phases of Wound Repair

5.9K
Following injury, the integrity of the injured tissues must be reestablished. For example, in skin tissue, wound repair involves coordination among resident skin cells, blood mononuclear cells, extracellular matrix, growth factors, and cytokines to complete the healing cascade.
Formation of Blood Clot
In case of deep injuries, trauma to blood vessels results in blood loss. In the meantime, phospholipids released from the ruptured endothelial cellular membrane are converted into arachidonic...
5.9K
Gastrulation01:56

Gastrulation

57.1K
Gastrulation establishes the three primary tissues of an embryo: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. This developmental process relies on a series of intricate cellular movements, which in humans transforms a flat, “bilaminar disc” composed of two cell sheets into a three-tiered structure. In the resulting embryo, the endoderm serves as the bottom layer, and stacked directly above it is the intermediate mesoderm, and then the uppermost ectoderm. Respectively, these tissue strata...
57.1K
Cell Migration01:19

Cell Migration

4.8K
Cell migration is a process by which the cells move from one location to another, playing an essential role in embryological development, repair and regeneration, immune response, and metastasis. Cells migrate in response to chemical or mechanical signals generated by specific organs or tissues. The overall mechanism includes three steps - polarization, protrusion, and release. Polarization involves the formation of a distinct cell front and rear, which determines the direction of movement.
4.8K
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:22

Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

2.2K
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
2.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Aging of Nonhuman Primate Eyes Is Sexually Dimorphic.

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science·2026
Same author

"Humanoids will soon replace most human workers": A debate.

Science robotics·2026
Same author

A Catalyst-Free Synthesis Platform for Functionalized Sulfur-Containing Molecules via Cyclic Sulfonium Salts.

The Journal of organic chemistry·2026
Same author

Stress granules promote DNA damage repair through the G3BP1/NAT10/ATF3 axis to facilitate nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression.

Oncogene·2026
Same author

Enterolactone mitigates atherosclerosis by facilitating resolution of ferroptosis-associated intimal inflammation via the Keap1/Nrf2/GPX4 pathway.

Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology·2026
Same author

Optic nerve intraneural pressure trend under intraocular-intracranial pressure effects.

The British journal of ophthalmology·2026
Same journal

Taphonomic analysis at Liang Bua reveals the behavioral and technological capabilities of <i>Homo floresiensis</i>.

Science advances·2026
Same journal

Targeting granule initiation and amyloplast structure to create giant starch granules in wheat.

Science advances·2026
Same journal

A meta-analysis of carbon losses and gains from tropical moist forest degradation and regeneration.

Science advances·2026
Same journal

Ancient DNA reveals elite dynastic rule among Iron Age Eurasian Steppe nomads.

Science advances·2026
Same journal

Targeting astrocytic Dp71 attenuates BBB disruption after traumatic brain injury through WTAP-associated m<sup>6</sup>A regulation of MMP2.

Science advances·2026
Same journal

Pancreatic α cells are required for nutrient homeostasis by regulating dynamic β cell networks in islets.

Science advances·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2025

Sandwich-like Microenvironments to Harness Cell/Material Interactions
06:50

Sandwich-like Microenvironments to Harness Cell/Material Interactions

Published on: August 4, 2015

7.6K

A fibronectin gradient remodels mixed-phase mesoderm.

Min Zhu1, Bin Gu2, Evan C Thomas1

  • 1Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada.

Science Advances
|July 19, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Tissue stiffness, controlled by fibronectin, guides cell movement and rearrangements during development. This finding unifies durotaxis and tissue phase concepts, explaining cell behavior in vivo.

More Related Videos

Generation of Aligned Functional Myocardial Tissue Through Microcontact Printing
11:09

Generation of Aligned Functional Myocardial Tissue Through Microcontact Printing

Published on: March 19, 2013

11.2K
Observing and Quantifying Fibroblast-mediated Fibrin Gel Compaction
10:37

Observing and Quantifying Fibroblast-mediated Fibrin Gel Compaction

Published on: January 16, 2014

6.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 20, 2025

Sandwich-like Microenvironments to Harness Cell/Material Interactions
06:50

Sandwich-like Microenvironments to Harness Cell/Material Interactions

Published on: August 4, 2015

7.6K
Generation of Aligned Functional Myocardial Tissue Through Microcontact Printing
11:09

Generation of Aligned Functional Myocardial Tissue Through Microcontact Printing

Published on: March 19, 2013

11.2K
Observing and Quantifying Fibroblast-mediated Fibrin Gel Compaction
10:37

Observing and Quantifying Fibroblast-mediated Fibrin Gel Compaction

Published on: January 16, 2014

6.0K

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Biophysics
  • Cell biology

Background:

  • Cell migration and tissue rearrangements are crucial for development.
  • Durotaxis (cell migration toward stiffer environments) and tissue phase transitions are proposed mechanisms, but their relationship is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between tissue stiffness, cell migration, and tissue phase during embryonic development.
  • To identify fibronectin's role as a unifying factor in these developmental processes.

Main Methods:

  • Studied murine limb bud mesoderm.
  • Analyzed cell behavior (caging, directional migration, intercalation) along a stiffness gradient.
  • Utilized a modified Landau phase equation to model cell diffusivity.
  • Investigated fibronectin regulation via WNT5A-YAP feedback.

Main Results:

  • Identified fibronectin-dependent tissue stiffness as a key regulator of cell behavior.
  • Observed distinct cell behaviors (caging, directional movement, intercalation) correlated with location on the stiffness gradient.
  • Successfully predicted cell diffusivity changes using a modified Landau phase equation after fibronectin manipulation.
  • Demonstrated WNT5A-YAP feedback regulates fibronectin, influencing cell movements, tissue shape, and skeletal patterning.

Conclusions:

  • Fibronectin-dependent tissue stiffness unifies durotaxis and tissue phase phenomena in vivo.
  • Directional cell movement emerges within a mixed-phase environment due to fibronectin.
  • This study reveals a key determinant of developmental phase transitions and cell movement regulation.