Presentations

In silico investigation of cell repackaging in developing epithelial tissues

Krasnyakov I.V., Buzmakov M.D.

Perm National Research Polytechnic University, Russia, 614013, Perm, st. Proffesora Pozdeeva, 11, +7 964 192 23 64, krasnyakov_ivan@mail.ru

Cell repackaging is an important process in tissue development, particularly in epithelial tissues. Epithelial cells form a continuous layer that lines the surfaces of organs and body cavities. Cell repackaging plays a key role in how these tissues develop, repair, and adapt to change [1]. In doing so, cells can change their shape and relative positions to optimally distribute stress or respond to other external stimuli. Cell repackaging also facilitates their mechanical integration [2]. During morphogenesis, early in embryonic development (from cleavage to neurulation), epithelial cells repackage to form the structures of future organs [2].

In this paper, we present a chemomechanical mathematical model of epithelial tissue development [3]. The potential we introduced takes into account not only the elasticity of the perimeter and area, but also the elasticity of the internal angles of the cell. The presented mathematical model makes it possible to track the complete history of changes in each cell in the ensemble under consideration. Using the model, we study the influence of cell repacking mechanisms on developing epithelial tissue. The following repacking processes are specifically considered: during uniaxial tissue stretching; during tissue growth in closed geometries with elastic and rigid walls; during the growth of another cell ensemble and during cell migration in tissue. A study is conducted of the morphological forms of cell networks that arise during the evolution of epithelial tissue. A variety of cellular patterns is obtained and their detailed analysis is carried out.

The study was carried out with the financial support of the Russian Science Foundation, grant No. 23-71-01020, https://rscf.ru/project/23-71-01020/

References

1. Herrera-Perez R.M., Kasza K.E. Biophysical control of the cell rearrangements and cell shape changes that build epithelial tissues // Current Opinion in Genetics & Development, Vol. 51, 2018, P. 88–95.

2. Lemke S.B., Nelson C.M. Dynamic changes in epithelial cell packing during tissue morphogenesis // Current Biology, Vol. 31, 2021, P. 1098–1110.

3. Krasnyakov I.V., Kostarev K.V., Bratsun D.A. Mathematical modeling of early processes of morphogenesis of epithelial tissues // Russian Journal of Biomechanics, Vol. 28, No. 1., 2024, P. 76–86.

• abstract in Russian (PDF)