Larger cell nuclei lead to more organized cell patterns

New research suggests that the organization of cells depends on their nuclear size. As cells grow, they tend to arrange themselves in more structured patterns due to the rigidity of their nuclei. This insight could aid in creating new materials, like smart fabrics. Human organs, including lungs and blood vessels, have cells on their surfaces that perform vital functions. However, how these cells coordinate their positions is still not fully understood. Researchers led by Ming Guo at MIT explored this by examining human lung cells known as alveolar epithelial cells. These cells help with gas exchange in the lungs. The team grew these cells on special nutrient gels shaped like spheres. They found that as the cells multiplied and the structure grew, the shapes of the cells changed. They used microscopy to see individual cells and fluorescent markers to track nuclear size. This helped them create a pattern showing how the cells were arranged. They observed that smaller structures had more pentagon-shaped cells, while larger ones had more hexagons. This shift indicated that cells packed together more closely as they grew. The researchers discovered that internal cell factors influence this arrangement. Focusing on the nucleus, which is stiffer than the rest of the cell, Guo hypothesized that the size of the nucleus affects how cells are spaced. Previous studies in fruit flies indicate that a larger nucleus can lead to tighter packing of cells. To test their ideas, the researchers applied pressure to the cells. This made the softer parts of the cells compress while keeping the nuclei the same size. As a result, the nuclei appeared larger, and the cells became more organized in their arrangement. The researchers plan to investigate how this packing behavior might affect biological processes like the development of alveolospheres. They also see potential technological applications, such as improving the design of wearable electronics that need to fit the curves of the human body. This study highlights the importance of packing in biological systems and suggests that nuclear size could be a controllable factor in cell organization during development.