Extra-embryonic tissue spreading directs early embryo morphogenesis in killifish

Germán Reig, Mauricio Cerda, Néstor Sepúlveda, Daniela Flores, Victor Castañeda, Masazumi Tada, Steffen Härtel and Miguel L. Concha ()
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Germán Reig: Anatomy and Developmental Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile
Mauricio Cerda: Anatomy and Developmental Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile
Néstor Sepúlveda: Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Universidad de Chile
Daniela Flores: Anatomy and Developmental Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile
Victor Castañeda: Anatomy and Developmental Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile
Masazumi Tada: University College London
Steffen Härtel: Anatomy and Developmental Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile
Miguel L. Concha: Anatomy and Developmental Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract The spreading of mesenchymal-like cell layers is critical for embryo morphogenesis and tissue repair, yet we know little of this process in vivo. Here we take advantage of unique developmental features of the non-conventional annual killifish embryo to study the principles underlying tissue spreading in a simple cellular environment, devoid of patterning signals and major morphogenetic cell movements. Using in vivo experimentation and physical modelling we reveal that the extra-embryonic epithelial enveloping cell layer, thought mainly to provide protection to the embryo, directs cell migration and the spreading of embryonic tissue during early development. This function relies on the ability of embryonic cells to couple their autonomous random motility to non-autonomous signals arising from the expansion of the extra-embryonic epithelium, mediated by cell membrane adhesion and tension. Thus, we present a mechanism of extra-embryonic control of embryo morphogenesis that couples the mechanical properties of adjacent tissues in the early killifish embryo.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15431

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