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Normal and malignant remodelling of epithelial tissues: an integrative IBCell model

Kasia Rejniak Moffit Cancer Center & Research Institute

Authors

Kasia Rejniak

Abstract

Epithelial tissues form highly selective barriers between different body compartments and are composed from tightly packed cells that maintain an apical-basal polarity synchronized among all cells. All cell life processes, such as proliferation, survival, differentiation and death are also coordinated to ensure tissue integrity. In contrast, the disruption of such a well-organized epithelial architecture leads to various forms of epithelial tumors (carcinomas). To enable in vitro investigation of genotypic and molecular abnormalities associated with epithelial cancers, the 3-dimensional experimental models of epithelial acini have been developed. In this talk I will address several stages of the development of epithelial acini using a biomechanical model of the central cross section through a typical acinus (IBcell model) and quantitatively compare computational results to experimental data. I will also discuss different rules of cell collaboration or competition that lead either to the self-arrangement of normal acini or to the emergence of degenerated structures resembling acinar mutants, such as ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive tumors. In particular, I will focus on the dynamics of cell membrane receptors that drive interactions between neighboring cells and between cells and their immediate microenvironment.