Our cells can divide in a completely unexpected way

Researchers have identified a form of cell division where the shape of cells influences the type of cells their progeny become. This breakthrough may advance tissue engineering techniques and enhance our comprehension of cancer metastasis.

Revisiting Cell Division Mechanics

Traditionally, scientists have believed that most cells in the body adopt a spherical form as they prepare to split into two. This rounding facilitates an equal distribution of cellular contents between the resulting cells, or “daughter” cells, thereby yielding identical cells.

However, stem cells stand as a notable exception to this norm. They undergo unequal, or asymmetric, cell division, producing two distinct cell types.

Asymmetrical Division in Non-Stem Cells

The team led by Shane Herbert at the University of Manchester, UK, observed that non-stem cells in the developing blood vessels of zebrafish embryos were also dividing asymmetrically. These endothelial cells, responsible for forming new blood vessel branches, divided without rounding up, producing two different types of cells.

Experiments with Human Endothelial Cells

To validate their findings, the researchers manipulated the shape of human endothelial cells in laboratory conditions. They discovered that the shape of these cells before division influenced the symmetry of the division process. Elongated, thinner cells were more prone to dividing asymmetrically, suggesting that cells can adjust the nature of their division based on their shape.

Herbert emphasizes that cells do not lose structural and behavioral information through rounding. “Frequently, they retain their shape, enabling them to transfer such memory,” he explains.

Implications for Tissue Engineering and Cancer Research

The discovery that cells can migrate, divide, and generate diverse cell types concurrently allows them to respond swiftly to developmental demands. This capability is crucial for supplying expanding tissues with blood vessels, nerves, and other essential structures.

The findings hold promise for tissue engineering, particularly in creating replacement tissues where blood vessel growth is a significant obstacle. According to Holly Lovegrove, a team member, this research highlights the specific conditions needed for cells to adopt shapes and behaviors conducive to forming functional blood vessels. Manipulating cell shapes could offer new avenues for generating specific cell types even in his lab setting.

Furthermore, these insights may improve our understanding of cancer spread, as it involves clusters of migrating cells.

Adaptability in Cellular Mechanisms

Buzz Baum of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK, notes that this discovery elegantly demonstrates how organisms can adapt mechanisms like cell rounding to fulfill various functions. “It’s an ingenious method to retain essential information while expanding the cellular network through division,” he explains.