Tissue mechanics essential for cell movement

Cells that form facial features need surrounding embryonic tissues to stiffen so they can move and develop, according to new UCL-led research. The discovery has important implications for understanding the causes of facial defects which account for a third of all birth defects globally (3.2 million each year) and are the primary cause of infant mortality. It is the first time that the mechanical properties of the environment surrounding embryonic cells has been shown to be crucial in cell movement and development, rather than genes or molecules. The researchers say it is likely that a similar mechanism is used by other cells involved in spreading cancer and wound healing. For the study researchers from UCL and the University of Cambridge investigated the importance of meclhanical cues in the collective migration of neural crest cells in frog embryos. Frogs were chosen as a model organism as their neural crest (NC) cells behave in a similar way to those of humans and their movement is often used to study the spread of cancer. In addition, the embryo development of frogs can be studied without inflicting harm which isn't true for other animal models.  "We've known that cell movement is essential for many processes in the body including the formation of embryos and cancer spread, but until now, most effort has been put into understanding the molecular cues that drive movement, rather than the role the mechanical environment plays," explained study lead author, Professor Roberto Mayor (UCL Cell & Developmental Biology).