Interplay of actin nematodynamics and anisotropic tension controls endothelial mechanics

Article Article scientifique Article Interplay of actin nematodynamics and anisotropic tension controls endothelial mechanics eng 2025-04-18 2025-06 author Dessalles Claire 0000-0002-4554-754X Laboratoire d'Hydrodynamique (LadHyX), CNRS-École Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 983631 author Cuny Nicolas Joël René 0000-0001-6859-9177 Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 976276 Département de génétique et évolution (Genev) (BIANI) author Boutillon Arthur 0000-0002-0968-6059 Laboratory for Optics and Biosciences, CNRS UMR7645, INSERM U1182, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France.,Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. author Salipante Paul F. 0000-0002-8692-4268 Polymers and Complex Fluids Group, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD USA. author Babataheri Avin 0000-0002-0029-880X Laboratoire d'Hydrodynamique (LadHyX), CNRS-École Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France. author Barakat Abdul I. Laboratoire d'Hydrodynamique (LadHyX), CNRS-École Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France. author Salbreux Guillaume 0000-0001-7041-1292 Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 947792 Département de génétique et évolution (Genev) (BIANI) 999-1008 10.1038/s41567-025-02847-3 40546251 1745-2473 PMC12176649 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41567-025-02847-3 Blood vessels expand and contract actively as they continuously experience dynamic external stresses from blood flow. The mechanical response of the vessel wall is that of a composite material: its mechanical properties depend on its cellular components, which change dynamically as the cells respond to external stress. Mapping the relationship between these underlying cellular processes and emergent tissue mechanics is an ongoing challenge, particularly in endothelial cells. Here we assess the mechanics and cellular dynamics of an endothelial tube using a microstretcher that mimics the native environment of blood vessels. The characterization of the instantaneous monolayer elasticity reveals a strain-stiffening, actin-dependent and substrate-responsive behaviour. After a physiological pressure increase, the tissue displays a fluid-like expansion, with the reorientation of cell shape and actin fibres. We introduce a mechanical model that considers the actin fibres as a network in the nematic phase and couples their dynamics with active and elastic fibre tension. The model accurately describes the response to the pressure of endothelial tubes. Biological physics Soft materials Dewey 540 Dewey 590 European Molecular Biology Organization ALT 886-2022 AXA Research Fund Swiss National Science Foundation Active patterned surfaces and morphogenesis of biological tissues 197068 CH Projects 39 Département de biochimie 144 44 Département de génétique et évolution 162 false Nature physics 21 6 44d978f7-b740-409f-ac0a-f3a44cb51042 Article (Published version) Public Article_scientifique_from_crossref.pdf 5845817 application/pdf CC BY-4.0 0d6852f198c08431fafacac528ab77ae77e47d8c8baa1efa7d7737a4bed6b438 openAccess Faculté des sciences / Section de chimie et biochimie / Département de biochimie Faculté des sciences / Section de biologie / Département de génétique et évolution

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Interplay of actin nematodynamics and anisotropic tension controls endothelial mechanics	Nature physics			2025	32	204

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Cuny, Nicolas Joël René