Cell cycle dynamics control fluidity of the developing mouse neuroepithelium

Abstract As developing tissues grow in size and undergo morphogenetic changes, their material properties may be altered. Such changes result from tension dynamics at cell contacts or cellular jamming. Yet, many cases, the mechanisms controlling physical state of growing are unclear. We found that early developmental stages, epithelium mouse spinal cord maintains both high junctional fluidity. This is achieved via a mechanism which interkinetic nuclear movements generate area drive extensive rearrangements. Over time, proliferation rate declines, effectively solidifying tissue. Thus, unlike well-studied jamming transitions, solidification uncovered here resembles glass transition depends on dynamical stresses generated by differentiation. Our finding fluidity epithelia linked to growth likely relevant multiple tissues.