Differential tissue deformability underlies fluid pressure-driven shape divergence of the avian embryonic brain and spinal cord

McLaren SB, Xue SL, Ding S, Winkel AK, Baldwin O, Dwarakacherla S, Franze K, Hannezo E, Xiong F (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Developmental Cell Elsevier (Cell Press)

DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2025.04.010

Abstract

An enlarged brain underlies the complex central nervous system of vertebrates. The dramatic expansion of the brain that diverges its shape from the spinal cord follows neural tube closure during embryonic development. Here, we show that this differential deformation is encoded by a pre-pattern of tissue material properties in chicken embryos. Using magnetic droplets and atomic force microscopy, we demonstrate that the dorsal hindbrain is more fluid than the dorsal spinal cord, resulting in a thinning versus a resisting response to increasing lumen pressure, respectively. The dorsal hindbrain exhibits reduced apical actin and a disorganized laminin matrix consistent with tissue fluidization. Blocking the activity of neural-crest-associated matrix metalloproteinases inhibits hindbrain expansion. Transplanting dorsal hindbrain cells to the spinal cord can locally create an expanded brain-like morphology in some cases. Our findings raise questions in vertebrate head evolution and suggest a general role of mechanical pre-patterning in sculpting epithelial tubes.

Authors with CRIS profile

Kristian Franze

Involved external institutions

University of Cambridge GB United Kingdom (GB) Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria) AT Austria (AT)

How to cite

APA:

McLaren, S.B., Xue, S.L., Ding, S., Winkel, A.K., Baldwin, O., Dwarakacherla, S.,... Xiong, F. (2025). Differential tissue deformability underlies fluid pressure-driven shape divergence of the avian embryonic brain and spinal cord. Developmental Cell. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2025.04.010

MLA:

McLaren, Susannah B.P., et al. "Differential tissue deformability underlies fluid pressure-driven shape divergence of the avian embryonic brain and spinal cord." Developmental Cell (2025).

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