Tight junctions control lumen morphology via hydrostatic pressure and junctional tension

Authors:

Markus Mukenhirn, Chen-Ho Wang, Tristan Guyomar, Matthew J. Bovyn, Michael F. Staddon, Rozemarijn E. van der Veen, Riccardo Maraspini, Linjie Lu, Cecilie Martin-Lemaitre, Masaki Sano, Martin Lehmann, Tetsuya Hiraiwa, Daniel Riveline, Alf Honigmann

Keywords:

lumen morphogenesis; mechano-biology; tight junction; myosin contractility; lumen pressure; tissue hydraulics; biological physics

Abstract:

Formation of fluid-filled lumina by epithelial tissues is essential for organ development. How cells control the hydraulic and cortical forces to control lumen morphology is not well understood. Here, we quantified the mechanical role of tight junctions in lumen formation using MDCK-II cysts. We found that the paracellular ion barrier formed by claudin receptors is not required for the hydraulic inflation of a lumen. However, the depletion of the zonula occludens scaffold resulted in lumen collapse and folding of apical membranes. Combining quantitative measurements of hydrostatic lumen pressure and junctional tension with modeling enabled us to explain lumen morphologies from the pressure-tension force balance. Tight junctions promote lumen inflation by decreasing cortical tension via the inhibition of myosin. In addition, our results suggest that excess apical area contributes to lumen opening. Overall, we provide a mechanical understanding of how epithelial cells use tight junctions to modulate tissue and lumen shape.

< Back to publications

Full article >