Cell division and differential adhesion drive cell self-segregation during embryo morphogenesis.

Mixing and sorting behaviors in biological systems are central to embryogenesis, tissue regeneration, and cancer growth and metastasis. It is well established that differential interfacial energy between homotypic and heterotypic cells is one of the driving sources that explain cell sorting. However, the complex mechanical interactions involved in typical cell-cell rearrangements are still not well explored. In this work, we use a vertex model to investigate cell segregation during embryogenesis. We find that the self-segregation is naturally driven by the cell division under differential adhesion between different cell types. The cell types differ in division rates which further promote or inhibit sorting behavior depending on the tradeoff between mechanical and chemical feedbacks.

A dynamical vertex model is also used to study the effects of cell motility on sorting. The interesting point is that cell motility could initially enhance the segregation while destroying cell aggregation cluster at large values. It is concluded that the single cell property (mechanical stiffness, motility et al) could also compete with external perturbations (shearing, compression), both of which contribute to shaping the cell segregation patterns.