Communities of epithelial cells communicate through intercellular interactions, allowing them to coordinate their motility, which plays a key role in homeostasis, morphogenesis and cancer metastasis. Each cell in the epithelium is a constitutive energy-consuming agent, which can generate forces and interact with other cells through cell–cell junctions. Forces applied through external stimuli or endogenous cellular events are balanced by the cells within the epithelium, resulting in the adjustment of internal tissue contractile stresses and tissue reorganization. Materials science and microengineering techniques can be combined to create controllable environments to study epithelial movement and mechanics. By modulating the cell–material interface and by applying principles of active matter, key aspects of epithelial dynamics and mechanosensing mechanisms can be investigated. In this Review, we discuss epithelial tissues as active materials with particular rheological properties and active behaviours at different length scales. We highlight 2D and 3D materials for the study of epithelial dynamics and summarize key methods for the probing of epithelial mechanics. Tissue responses to mechanical stimuli are examined from the molecular level to the tissue level, and the effects of the shape, architecture and stiffness of the microenvironment are discussed.

上皮细胞的社区通过细胞间的相互作用进行交流，从而使其协调运动，这在体内稳态，形态发生和癌症转移中起着关键作用。上皮细胞中的每个细胞都是组成型能量消耗剂，它可以产生力并通过细胞间连接与其他细胞相互作用。通过外部刺激或内源性细胞事件施加的力被上皮内的细胞平衡，从而导致内部组织收缩应力和组织重组的调节。可以结合材料科学和微工程技术来创建可控制的环境，以研究上皮运动和力学。通过调节细胞与物质的界面并应用活性物质的原理，可以研究上皮动力学的关键方面和机械传感机制。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了上皮组织作为具有不同流变性质和不同长度尺度的活跃行为的活跃物质。我们重点介绍用于上皮动力学研究的2D和3D材料，并概述了探测上皮力学的关键方法。从分子水平到组织水平检查组织对机械刺激的反应，并讨论微环境的形状，结构和刚度的影响。我们重点介绍用于上皮动力学研究的2D和3D材料，并概述了探测上皮力学的关键方法。从分子水平到组织水平检查组织对机械刺激的反应，并讨论微环境的形状，结构和刚度的影响。我们重点介绍用于上皮动力学研究的2D和3D材料，并概述了探测上皮力学的关键方法。从分子水平到组织水平检查组织对机械刺激的反应，并讨论微环境的形状，结构和刚度的影响。