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Multiscale biophysical control of epithelial shape transitions during animal development
Jianyi Mai1, Abhirami Anil Gayathry1, David M Richards2
1Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom; Department of Bioscience, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom.
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|July 21, 2026
Summary
Epithelial cell shape is controlled by mechanical forces at multiple scales, from internal cell factors to tissue-wide mechanics. This interplay is crucial for tissue development, function, and disease.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Epithelial cell shape is vital for tissue function, development, homeostasis, and disease.
- Cell morphology arises from integrating biochemical and mechanical signals across various scales.
- Mechanical forces play a critical role in regulating epithelial cell shape and tissue architecture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanical aspects of epithelial cell shape control.
- To highlight multi-scale regulation linking cell-intrinsic factors, local mechanical environment, and tissue-scale mechanics.
- To synthesize insights into mechanical control of epithelial cell shape transitions and morphogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on epithelial mechanics.
- Focus on multi-scale regulation of cell shape.
- Integration of cellular, local, and tissue-level mechanical factors.
Main Results:
- Epithelial cell shape is regulated by a multi-scale mechanical framework.
- Cell-intrinsic factors (cytoskeletal organization, contractility, growth) interact with the microenvironment.
- Tissue-scale mechanics and boundary constraints influence epithelial morphology.
- Feedback across scales ensures robust and adaptable epithelial architecture.
Conclusions:
- Mechanical forces, integrated across scales, are fundamental to epithelial morphogenesis.
- Theoretical modeling is essential for understanding the complex interplay of forces.
- Understanding epithelial mechanics is key to development, homeostasis, and disease processes.
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