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Cell biology

Death drags down the neighbourhood

Nature volume 518, pages 171–173 (2015)Cite this article

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An analysis of dying cells reveals that they play an active part in modifying tissue shape by pulling on neighbouring cells. This induces neighbouring cells to contract at their apices, which results in tissue folding. See Letter p.245

A normal and essential part of tissue development, maintenance and repair is apoptotic cell death1, in which cells shrink and fragment into membrane-bound structures called apoptotic bodies that are engulfed by phagocytic cells. Apoptosis has a key role in sculpting tissue morphology, removing cells from between forming digits and eliminating vestigial structures. However, apoptosis is often regarded as a passive elimination of unwanted cells. On page 245 of this issue, Monier et al.2 report a surprising finding — apoptosis can trigger contractions that fold tissues. Rather than being inert, apoptotic cells actively affect their surroundings, causing lasting changes in tissue form and structure.

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Figure 1: Apoptosis and fold formation.

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  1. Claudia G. Vasquez and Adam C. Martin are in the Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.,

    Claudia G. Vasquez & Adam C. Martin

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  1. Claudia G. Vasquez
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  2. Adam C. Martin
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Correspondence to Adam C. Martin.

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Vasquez, C., Martin, A. Death drags down the neighbourhood. Nature 518, 171–173 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature14198

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