Multiciliated cells use filopodia to probe tissue mechanics during epithelial integration in vivo.

ABSTRACT: During embryonic development, regeneration, and homeostasis, cells have to migrate and physically integrate into the target tissues where they ultimately execute their function. While much is known about the biochemical pathways driving cell migration in vivo, we are only beginning to understand the mechanical interplay between migrating cells and their surrounding tissue. Here, we reveal that multiciliated cell precursors in the Xenopus embryo use filopodia to pull at the vertices of the overlying epithelial sheet. This pulling is effectively used to sense vertex stiffness and identify the preferred positions for cell integration into the tissue. Notably, we find that pulling forces equip multiciliated cells with the ability to remodel the epithelial junctions of the neighboring cells, en

SUBMITTER: Ventura G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9616887 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature