Abstract

Mechanical forces are critical regulators of cell shape changes and tissue remodelling during developmental morphogenetic processes. Recently, we revealed that apoptotic cells, far from being eliminated passively, are generating apico-basal forces that constitute an important mechanical signal involved in epithelial folding in the developing leg of Drosophila. Here, I will present more recent works, based on this initial discovery regarding the cellular mechanism responsible for force generation in apoptotic cells and the potential conservation of this mechanism in vertebrate. I will further discuss the surprising similarities of the mechanical impact of apoptotic cells to the one of ingressing cells undergoing EMT on tissue remodelling. Finally, I will present data regarding the mechanics of morphogenesis robustness involving Myosin II planar polarity and the Arp2/3 complex.