Force propagation between epithelial cells depends on active coupling and mechano-structural polarization.

ABSTRACT: Cell-generated forces play a major role in coordinating the large-scale behavior of cell assemblies, in particular during development, wound healing, and cancer. Mechanical signals propagate faster than biochemical signals, but can have similar effects, especially in epithelial tissues with strong cell-cell adhesion. However, a quantitative description of the transmission chain from force generation in a sender cell, force propagation across cell-cell boundaries, and the concomitant response of receiver cells is missing. For a quantitative analysis of this important situation, here we propose a minimal model system of two epithelial cells on an H-pattern ('cell doublet'). After optogenetically activating RhoA, a major regulator of cell contractility, in the sender cell, we measure the mech

SUBMITTER: Ruppel A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10511242 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature