3D Organisation of Cells in Pseudostratified Epithelia

Pseudostratified epithelia have smooth apical and basal surfaces, yet along the apical-basal axis, cells assume highly irregular shapes, which we introduce as punakoids. They interact dynamically with many more than visible at surface. Here, review a recently developed new perspective on epithelial cell organisation. Seemingly random first sight, packing configurations entire axis follow fundamental geometrical relationships, minimise lateral cell-cell contact energy for given cross-sectional area variability. The complex 3D neighbour relationships in pseudostratified thus emerge from simple physical principle. This paves way development of data-driven simulation frameworks that will be invaluable dynamics disease.