Osmotic Gradients in Epithelial Acini Increase Mechanical Tension across E-cadherin, Drive Morphogenesis, and Maintain Homeostasis.

ABSTRACT: Epithelial cells spontaneously form acini (also known as cysts or spheroids) with a single, fluid-filled central lumen when grown in 3D matrices. The size of the lumen is dependent on apical secretion of chloride ions, most notably by the CFTR channel, which has been suggested to establish pressure in the lumen due to water influx. To study the cellular biomechanics of acini morphogenesis and homeostasis, we used MDCK-2 cells. Using FRET-force biosensors for E-cadherin, we observed significant increases in the average tension per molecule for each protein in mature 3D acini as compared to 2D monolayers. Increases in CFTR activity resulted in increased E-cadherin forces, indicating that ionic gradients affect cellular tension. Direct measurements of pressure revealed that mature acini exper

SUBMITTER: Narayanan V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7153951 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature