biostudies-literatureMongera AU.S. Department of Health &Human Services | NIH | Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentNSF | ENG/OAD | Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing InnovationDeutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)NSF | ENG/OAD | Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI)U.S. Department of Health &Human Services | NIH | Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)135-143https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9812792biostudies-literatureUnknown22(1)Tissue morphogenesis, homoeostasis and repair require cells to constantly monitor their three-dimensional microenvironment and adapt their behaviours in response to local biochemical and mechanical cues. Yet the mechanical parameters of the cellular microenvironment probed by cells in vivo remain unclear. Here, we report the mechanics of the cellular microenvironment that cells probe in vivo and in situ during zebrafish presomitic mesoderm differentiation. By quantifying both endogenous cell-generated strains and tissue mechanics, we show that individual cells probe the stiffness associated with deformations of the supracellular, foam-like tissue architecture. Stress relaxation leads to a perceived microenvironment stiffness that decreases over time, with cells probing the softest regime. Nature materialsMechanics of the cellular microenvironment as probed by cells in vivo during zebrafish presomitic mesoderm differentiation.PMC9812792EXC 2068 - 390729961EXC 2068 – 390729961R21HD084285R01HD0957971562910Gustafson HJKim SCampas ORowghanian PMongera AStooke-Vaughan GAPochitaloff MfalseMechanics of the cellular microenvironment as probed by cells in vivo during zebrafish presomitic mesoderm differentiation.Tissue morphogenesis, homoeostasis and repair require cells to constantly monitor their three-dimensional microenvironment and adapt their behaviours in response to local biochemical and mechanical cues. Yet the mechanical parameters of the cellular microenvironment probed by cells in vivo remain unclear. Here, we report the mechanics of the cellular microenvironment that cells probe in vivo and in situ during zebrafish presomitic mesoderm differentiation. By quantifying both endogenous cell-generated strains and tissue mechanics, we show that individual cells probe the stiffness associated with deformations of the supracellular, foam-like tissue architecture. Stress relaxation leads to a perceived microenvironment stiffness that decreases over time, with cells probing the softest regime. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Jan2025-04-04T21:04:42.861Z2025-04-04T21:04:42.861ZS-EPMC98127923657785510.1038/s41563-022-01433-9