Full Three-dimensional Cell Geometry Matters for Epithelial Fluidization
Abstract
Epithelial dynamics are often studied using two-dimensional models that omit cell height. Here, we investigate how this third dimension influences tissue fluidization driven by cell self-propulsion. We identify three effects absent from conventional 2D models. First, cell height controls fluidization through a reentrant transition: squamous and columnar tissues are more resistant to fluidization than cuboidal ones. Second, neighbor exchanges through transient scutoid states substantially enhance cell motility, compared to classic T1 transitions. Third, self-propelling cells develop pronounced apicobasal shape asymmetry, with the experimentally less accessible basal surface providing a more accurate indicator of cells' target shape index and motility.
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BibTeX
@misc{chiba2026full,
title = {{Full Three-dimensional Cell Geometry Matters for Epithelial Fluidization}},
author = {Toshikaze Chiba and Jan Rozman and Matej Krajnc},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2610.20030},
eprint = {2610.20030},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.20030},
note = {CC0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Full Three-dimensional Cell Geometry Matters for Epithelial Fluidization
AU - Toshikaze Chiba
AU - Jan Rozman
AU - Matej Krajnc
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/14
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2610.20030
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.20030
AB - Epithelial dynamics are often studied using two-dimensional models that omit cell height. Here, we investigate how this third dimension influences tissue fluidization driven by cell self-propulsion. We identify three effects absent from conventional 2D models. First, cell height controls fluidization through a reentrant transition: squamous and columnar tissues are more resistant to fluidization than cuboidal ones. Second, neighbor exchanges through transient scutoid states substantially enhance cell motility, compared to classic T1 transitions. Third, self-propelling cells develop pronounced apicobasal shape asymmetry, with the experimentally less accessible basal surface providing a more accurate indicator of cells' target shape index and motility.
ER -