Epithelial morphogenesis relies on constituent cells' ability to finely tune their mechanical properties. Resulting elastic-like and viscous-like behaviors arise from mechanochemical signaling coordinated spatiotemporally at cell-cell interfaces. Direct measurement of junction rheology can mechanistically dissect mechanical deformations and their molecular origins. However, the physical basis of junction viscoelasticity has only recently become experimentally tractable. Pioneering studies have uncovered exciting findings on the nature of contractile forces and junction deformations, inspiring a fundamentally new way of understanding morphogenesis. Here, we discuss novel techniques that directly test junctional mechanics and describe the relevant Vertex Models, and adaptations thereof, capturing these data. We then present the concept of adaptive tissue viscoelasticity, revealed by optogenetic junction manipulation. Finally, we offer future perspectives on this rapidly evolving field describing the material basis of tissue morphogenesis.

中文翻译：

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上皮细胞连接的自适应粘弹性：从模型到方法。


上皮形态发生依赖于组成细胞微调其机械特性的能力。由此产生的类弹性和类粘性行为是由细胞-细胞界面上时空协调的机械化学信号引起的。直接测量连接流变学可以从机械角度剖析机械变形及其分子起源。然而，连接粘弹性的物理基础直到最近才变得可以通过实验来处理。开创性研究发现了关于收缩力和连接变形性质的令人兴奋的发现，激发了一种理解形态发生的全新方法。在这里，我们讨论直接测试连接力学并描述相关顶点模型及其改编、捕获这些数据的新技术。然后，我们提出了通过光遗传学连接操作揭示的适应性组织粘弹性的概念。最后，我们对这个快速发展的领域提供了未来的展望，描述了组织形态发生的物质基础。