Multiscale curvature modulates epithelial architecture and nuclear organization

Rapport Preprint Multiscale curvature modulates epithelial architecture and nuclear organization eng 2026-01-12 author Luciano Marine 0000-0003-0826-9752 Department of Biochemistry, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest Ansermet 30, Geneva, CH-1211, Switzerland 974254 author Vagne Quentin Guy René 0000-0003-0797-4732 Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest Ansermet 30, Geneva, CH-1211, Switzerland 958720 Département de génétique et évolution (Genev) (BIANI) author Pernollet Guillaume Eric Arnaud 0009-0001-5902-7262 Department of Biochemistry, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest Ansermet 30, Geneva, CH-1211, Switzerland 773870 author Salbreux Guillaume 0000-0001-7041-1292 Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest Ansermet 30, Geneva, CH-1211, Switzerland 947792 Département de génétique et évolution (Genev) (BIANI) author Tomba Caterina 0000-0003-4634-1073 CNRS, INSA Lyon, Ecole Centrale de Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CPE Lyon, INL, UMR5270, 69621 Villeurbanne, France 831981 author Roux Aurélien 0000-0002-6088-0711 Department of Biochemistry, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest Ansermet 30, Geneva, CH-1211, Switzerland 716946 Département de biochimie (CHIBI) 10.64898/2026.01.12.698973 http://biorxiv.org/lookup/doi/10.64898/2026.01.12.698973 Curved geometries are a defining feature of epithelial tissues, yet how cells integrate curvature cues across spatial scales remains unclear. Here, we combined wavy hydrogels with inducible self-rolling substrates to readily and independently impose local and large-scale curvatures on epithelial monolayers, recapitulating key geometric features of bronchiolar epithelia. By controlling the orientation of local curvature relative to the large-scale curvature set by the tube axis, we show that multiscale curvature induces scale-dependent and anisotropic remodeling of cell shape, nuclear organization, and tissue thickness. In contrast, nuclei maintain a robust and conserved three-dimensional geometry, with curvature primarily regulating nuclear orientation rather than shape. This hierarchical induction of specific changes to the tissue architecture shows that multiscale curvature sensing is a fundamental physical principle governing epithelial architecture. Dewey 540 Dewey 590 39 Département de biochimie 144 44 Département de génétique et évolution 162 false 769 Groupe Roux 1348 Groupe Salbreux 8111321d-7092-4506-93ff-af6d153f1dc8 Preprint Public 2026.01.12.698973v1.full.pdf 7230737 application/pdf 4b8a7fabb39690f0273bf371ca321acd6d1134c3f6a05424a9dd2a33bc19a491 openAccess Faculté des sciences / Section de chimie et biochimie / Département de biochimie Faculté des sciences / Section de biologie / Département de génétique et évolution

Title	Published in	Year	Views	Downloads

Multiscale curvature modulates epithelial architecture and nuclear organization		2026	14	16
How multiscale curvature couples forces to cellular functions	Nature reviews physics	2024	204	0

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