Abstract
SummaryAs tissues develop, they are subjected to a variety of mechanical forces. Some of these forces are instrumental in the development of tissues, while others can result in tissue damage. Despite our extensive understanding of force-guided morphogenesis, we have only a limited understanding of how tissues prevent further morphogenesis once the shape is determined after development. Here, through the development of a tissue-stretching device, we uncover a mechanosensitive pathway that regulates tissue responses to mechanical stress through the polarization of actomyosin across the tissue. We show that stretch induces the formation of linear multicellular actomyosin cables, which depend on Diaphanous for their nucleation. These stiffen the epithelium, limiting further changes in shape, and prevent fractures from propagating across the tissue. Overall, this mechanism of force-induced changes in tissue mechanical properties provides a general model of force buffering that serves to preserve the shape of tissues under conditions of mechanical stress.
Highlights
Tissue shape and function are tightly coupled: simple changes in cell geometry affect fundamental processes such as cell growth, death, or the direction of cell divisions (Chen et al, 1997; Thery et al, 2007)
MyoII is Essential for Setting Tissue Stiffness and Elasticity Cell shape is defined by the balance of forces exerted on cells through the external environment
The pathways controlling cell shape are likely to be critical in responses to mechanical stress
Summary
Tissue shape and function are tightly coupled: simple changes in cell geometry affect fundamental processes such as cell growth, death, or the direction of cell divisions (Chen et al, 1997; Thery et al, 2007). Tissues have developed a plethora of active cellular-scale mechanisms to dissipate mechanical stresses, such as cell extrusions, divisions, transitions, and fusions, the full impact of these active cellular behaviors can take up to several hours (Campinho et al, 2013; Etournay et al, 2015; Heisenberg and Bellaıche, 2013; Marinari et al, 2012; Wyatt et al, 2016; Wyatt et al, 2015) Over short timescales, their response depends on their mechanical properties at rest, such as elasticity or stiffness (Bru€ckner and Janshoff, 2015; Skoglund et al, 2008; Zhou et al, 2009), and on their ability to dissipate applied stress (Khalilgharibi et al, 2016). We utilize the Drosophila wing imaginal disc to investigate the molecular and cellular basis of epithelial mechanics and the role of dynamic remodeling in tissue shape maintenance and injury responses in stretch-challenged tissues
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