Role of Tissue Mechanics in Embryonic Self-Organization and Cell Fate Plasticity

Informazioni relative al progetto

MechanoSelfFate

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: 866186

DOI

10.3030/866186

Data della firma CE 6 Marzo 2020

Data di avvio 1 Settembre 2020

Data di completamento 31 Agosto 2026

Finanziato da

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)

Costo totale

€ 1 995 334,00

Contributo UE

€ 1 995 334,00

Coordinato da

INSTITUT PASTEUR
France

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - MechanoSelfFate (Role of Tissue Mechanics in Embryonic Self-Organization and Cell Fate Plasticity)

Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-09-01 al 2025-02-28

Sintesi del contesto e degli obiettivi generali del progetto

The nature of the interactions between molecular and mechanical information that coordinate morphogenesis and cell differentiation during development remains largely unknown. The avian embryo, which exhibits highly regulatory development and is highly amenable to dynamic imaging approaches as well as mechanical perturbations, is an ideal model for studying such interactions. Based on recent results characterizing the mechanical control shaping the early embryo, we propose a programme integrating experiments and theory with the aim of i) testing whether a self-organizing mechanical system participates in the regulatory potential of the avian embryo; ii) elucidating the role of mechanical forces in cell fate acquisition. These studies aim to reveal different levels of interaction between cellular, molecular and mechanical signals ensuring the specification and robust, yet plastic, allocation of cell fate.

Lavoro eseguito dall’inizio del progetto fino alla fine del periodo coperto dalla relazione e principali risultati finora ottenuti

In this project, we have established novel ways to interfere mechanically with live quail embryos. This is possible because of bird embryo's accessibility and high amenability to live imaging approaches, enabling us to perform perturbations and to monitor the effect of these perturbations by simultaneous live imaging. Using these mechanical perturbations, we show that the redirection of endogenous forces entails the redirection of gene expression. We conclude that the mechanical forces that shape the early embryo self-organize and regulate gene expression to promote the formation of a single, and well-proportioned embryo. Our findings, so far, demonstrate that the extraordinary regulative potential of the early embryo, (i.e. its ability to adapt to perturbations and variation), originates from a biomechanical self-organized module.

Progressi oltre lo stato dell’arte e potenziale impatto previsto (incluso l’impatto socioeconomico e le implicazioni sociali più ampie del progetto fino ad ora)

Our results, change the way one think about the role of mechanical forces in biology, to show that they can self-organize in relative independence of molecular regulation and also that they can organize embryonic patterning by impinging on critical gene expression.
We are now investigating further the links between mechanical force and gene expression. By the end of this project, we expect to elucidate the cellular events (deformation, division, rearrangements , extrusions) underlying force generation regulation and the mechanosensitive pathways underlying the activation of gene expression.

forces and flows shaping the early embryo