Active T1 transitions in cellular networks

TL;DR

This study investigates how anisotropic active stresses influence T1 neighbor exchanges in cellular networks using a vertex model, revealing different patterns based on stress types and linking these to tissue energetics.

Contribution

It introduces a continuum framework for anisotropic active tissues and distinguishes effects of bond tension versus cell stress on T1 transitions.

Findings

Different active stress types produce distinct T1 orientation patterns.

Active T1 transitions can perform mechanical work and consume chemical energy.

The continuum model explains the energetics of tissue rearrangements.

Abstract

In amorphous solids as in tissues, neighbor exchanges can relax local stresses and allow the material to flow. In this paper, we use an anisotropic vertex model to study T1 rearrangements in polygonal cellular networks. We consider two different physical realizations of the active anisotropic stresses: (i) anisotropic bond tension and (ii) anisotropic cell stress. Interestingly, the two types of active stress lead to patterns of relative orientation of T1 transitions and cell elongation that are different. Our work suggests that these two realizations of anisotropic active stresses can be observed \textit{in vivo}. We describe and explain these results through the lens of a continuum description of the tissue as an anisotropic active material. We furthermore discuss the energetics of the dynamic tissue and express the energy balance in terms of internal elastic energy, mechanical work, chemical work and heat. This allows us to define active T1 transitions that can perform mechanical work while consuming chemical energy.