Apical contraction is the major tissue movement during remodeling of epithelial sheets in development. During apical contraction, groups of cells narrow their apices to form bottle-shaped structures, driving events such as sea-urchin gastrulation [1], Drosophila ventral-furrow formation, vertebrate neurulation and wound healing [2]. Tissue-folding events such as invagination, ingression and involution involve this tissue movement in which cells actively build “rifts” and “tubes”. Epithelial cells integrate genetic information, mechanical signals, and biochemical gradients to build these structures, but how they do so is unknown [3]. Theoretical models [4] provide some mechanical explanation for these events. Here we experimentally induce apical contractions controllably for the first time in amphibian embryos. Two independent methods, namely, laser ablation of cell membranes and nano-perfusion with cell lysate induce cell contraction in tissue isolates and in whole embryos. We demonstrate a biochemical pathway that stimulates rapid actin-reorganization/ polymerization accompanied by increases in α-actinin. The F-actin remodeling correlates with increased levels of Ca++. Cell contraction begins within few seconds of laser ablation or nano-perfusion, peaks within a minute and is followed by a similar relaxation. Acute control of epithelial mechanics will allow us to better understand how molecular genetic processes drive shape change in tissues and will help future bioengineers build complex 3D epithelial organs.
Skip Nav Destination
ASME 2009 Summer Bioengineering Conference
June 17–21, 2009
Lake Tahoe, California, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Bioengineering Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4891-3
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Remote Control of Apical Epithelial Sheet Contraction by Laser Ablation or Nano-Perfusion: Acute Stimulus Triggers Rapid Remodeling of F-Actin Network in Apical Cortex Available to Purchase
Sagar D. Joshi,
Sagar D. Joshi
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Search for other works by this author on:
Lance A. Davidson
Lance A. Davidson
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Search for other works by this author on:
Sagar D. Joshi
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Lance A. Davidson
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Paper No:
SBC2009-204904, pp. 951-952; 2 pages
Published Online:
July 19, 2013
Citation
Joshi, SD, & Davidson, LA. "Remote Control of Apical Epithelial Sheet Contraction by Laser Ablation or Nano-Perfusion: Acute Stimulus Triggers Rapid Remodeling of F-Actin Network in Apical Cortex." Proceedings of the ASME 2009 Summer Bioengineering Conference. ASME 2009 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Parts A and B. Lake Tahoe, California, USA. June 17–21, 2009. pp. 951-952. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/SBC2009-204904
Download citation file:
6
Views
Related Articles
Mechanical Basis of Cell Morphogenesis and Volume Control
Appl. Mech. Rev (October,1995)
Active Motion of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes in Response to Chemoattractant in a Micropipette
J Biomech Eng (November,1993)
Computational Modeling With Phantom-Tissue Validation of Gold-Nanorod-Enhanced Laser Ablation of Prostate Cancer
J. Heat Mass Transfer (January,2024)
Related Chapters
E110opt Fuel Cladding Corrosion under PWR Conditions
Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry: 20th International Symposium
Characterization and evaluation
Biocompatible Nanomaterials for Targeted and Controlled Delivery of Biomacromolecules
Experimental Studies
Nanoparticles and Brain Tumor Treatment