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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.01.05.522913

Durotaxis bridges phase transition as a function of tissue stiffness in vivo

Zhu, M.·Gu, B.·Thomas, E. C.·Tao, H.·Yung, T.·Zhang, K.·Rossant, J.·Sun, Y.·Hopyan, S.
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Abstract

Physical processes ultimately drive morphogenetic cell movements. Two proposals are that 1) cells migrate toward stiffer tissue (durotaxis) and that 2) the extent of cell rearrangements reflects liquid-solid tissue phase. It is unclear whether and how these concepts are related. Here, we identify fibronectin-dependent tissue stiffness as a control variable that underlies and unifies these phenomena in vivo. In murine limb bud mesoderm, cells are either caged, move directionally by durotaxis or intercalate as a function of their location along a stiffness gradient. A unifying stiffness-phase transition model that is based on a Landau equation accurately predicts cell diffusivity upon loss or gain of fibronectin. Fibronectin is regulated by a WNT5A-YAP positive feedback pathway that controls cell movements, tissue shape and skeletal pattern. The results identify a key determinant of phase transition and show how durotaxis emerges in a mixed phase environment in vivo.

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Zhu, M., Gu, B., Thomas, E. C., Tao, H., Yung, T., Zhang, K., Rossant, J., Sun, Y., Hopyan, S.. 2023-01-06. Durotaxis bridges phase transition as a function of tissue stiffness in vivo. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.01.05.522913

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