biostudies-literatureGracia MFondation ARC pour la Recherche sur le CancerFondation ARC pour la Recherche sur le Cancer (ARC Foundation for Cancer Research)2951https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6609679biostudies-literatureUnknown10(1)Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential process both in physiological and pathological contexts. Intriguingly, EMT is often associated with tissue invagination during development; however, the impact of EMT on tissue remodeling remain unexplored. Here, we show that at the initiation of the EMT process, cells produce an apico-basal force, orthogonal to the surface of the epithelium, that constitutes an important driving force for tissue invagination in Drosophila. When EMT is ectopically induced, cells starting their delamination generate an orthogonal force and induce ectopic folding. Similarly, during mesoderm invagination, cells undergoing EMT generate an apico-basal force through the formation of apico-basal structures of myosin II. Using both laser microdissection and iNature communicationsMechanical impact of epithelial-mesenchymal transition on epithelial morphogenesis in Drosophila.PMC6609679CA 09-12-2014Proag AGay GSuzanne MBenassayag CGracia MTheis SfalseMechanical impact of epithelial-mesenchymal transition on epithelial morphogenesis in Drosophila.Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential process both in physiological and pathological contexts. Intriguingly, EMT is often associated with tissue invagination during development; however, the impact of EMT on tissue remodeling remain unexplored. Here, we show that at the initiation of the EMT process, cells produce an apico-basal force, orthogonal to the surface of the epithelium, that constitutes an important driving force for tissue invagination in Drosophila. When EMT is ectopically induced, cells starting their delamination generate an orthogonal force and induce ectopic folding. Similarly, during mesoderm invagination, cells undergoing EMT generate an apico-basal force through the formation of apico-basal structures of myosin II. Using both laser microdissection and i2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Jul2026-05-07T18:26:39.657Z2019-07-25T07:04:05ZS-EPMC66096793127321210.1038/s41467-019-10720-0