The extracellular matrix in development

1The extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for metazoan life; without it, we would be merely an amorphous mass of cells. The ECM is the non-cellular component of all tissues, forming the physical environment surrounding cells, and playing both structural and signaling roles. As summarized in this Review, the physical roles of the various types of ECM include anchoring, guiding or restraining cell and tissue movements. For example, epithelial cells are anchored to a basement membrane, but if they become migratory, they can migrate along ECM fibrils or basement membranes.

2The physical properties of the ECM (e.g. stiffness) can provide regulatory information to cells. In addition, the ECM can provide signaling information through its specific biochemical composition and the local concentrations of its constituents (e.g. for gene regulation), and can serve as a reservoir and source of signaling molecules, such as cytokines. The many developmental and cell biological processes regulated or guided by the ECM include: contact guidance-mediated cell directionality, morphogenetic movements of gastrulation and organogenesis, stem cell differentiation, anchorage-dependent growth, and cell survival (anoikis).

3The importance of the ECM in normal mouse and human development is demonstrated by the many examples of embryonic lethality or functional disorders caused by deficiency or mutation, either experimentally or in a multitude of genetic diseases. Human genetic disorders can result from perturbed ECM structure, dynamics, components and/or interactions. In comparison with studies of the ECM in development, the regulation of developmental processes by transcription and growth factor signaling are much better studied. However, new insights highlight the importance of synergy between biochemical and biophysical signaling in developing tissues. As such, interest in the ECM and the biophysical cues that regulate embryogenesis is growing.

4This Review summarizes key roles of the ECM in cellular processes and tissue morphogenesis during embryonic development. After first introducing principles of cell-ECM interactions, we focus primarily on recently published examples to discuss how the ECM helps to direct developing tissues by influencing cell adhesion, migration, shape and differentiation (Fig. 1A-D). We place particular emphasis on the biophysical properties and signals of the ECM that regulate these processes in a variety of organisms, ranging from humans and mice to Drosophila and Tribolium.

5The ECM comprises predominantly protein and polysaccharide components, but the forms of ECM can be remarkably diverse in biophysical, biochemical and topological properties. The precise composition of an ECM is often tissue specific, highly dynamic and responsible for its unique physical properties (e.g. topography, pore size, fiber size, fiber orientation, stiffness/elasticity and ligand density) (Fig. 2A-E) and chemical properties of each tissue. Although ECMs can exist in many forms, two major classes are basement membrane and interstitial ECM. Basement membranes are specialized, flat laminar ECMs consisting predominantly of core proteins organized into sheet-like networks of interconnected ECM molecules that include collagen IV, laminins and proteoglycans (e.g. perlecan) (Table 1; Fig. 2F). Basement membranes underlie epithelia and surround the organs of most metazoans. In interstitial matrices, collagens and various non-collagenous proteins (e.g. fibronectin, elastin, laminin and tenascin) contribute to the characteristic fibrous networks of ECMs, while proteoglycans and water contribute to their interstitial spaces (Table 1; Fig. 2G).

6Cell adhesions are the attachment structures between cells and the ECM, or between cells and other cells. They are essential for the organization of individual cells into three-dimensional tissues. The specific properties of cell-ECM adhesions, such as their distribution, quantity and stability/duration, can vary between organisms, tissues, developmental stages and even neighboring cells. Amidst this heterogeneity, the most common cell-ECM adhesions are mediated by integrins, which are linked to the internal cell cytoskeleton. Cells use these adhesions to attach directly either to anchoring ligands of the ECM interstitial matrix (e.g. fibrous collagens, fibronectin and vitronectin) or to other glycoproteins in the basement membrane (e.g. laminin or network collagens) (Table 1; Fig. 1A). Indeed, several types of integrin-dependent adhesions are involved in crucial developmental processes. The best-characterized integrin-based adhesions are the RhoA-stimulated focal adhesions that anchor the ends of actin stress fibers to the nearby matrix. However, their precursors and variants (e.g. dot-like focal complexes and elongated fibrillar adhesions) are also likely to play roles in developmental events. Highlighting the importance of integrin-dependent adhesions in development, mutations in various integrin- and integrin-associated-protein family members are implicated in several human developmental diseases, such as those involving renal, ocular, pulmonary and dermal/epidermal tissues.

7Embryogenesis requires a coordinated balance between cell-ECM and cell-cell dynamics. Cell-cell adhesions mediate tissue cohesion and organization. Through cell-cell adhesions, the ECM can exert physical effects beyond only the first layer of ECM-attached cells into the interior of the tissue/organ. As with cell-ECM adhesions, a variety of cell-cell adhesive contacts are found in the developing embryo, for example various adherens junctions, desmosomes and tight junctions. Contacts mediated by the cadherin family of adhesion molecules are particularly important types of cell-cell interactions for maintaining organized solid tissues and transmitting mechanical signals. As with integrin-mediated adhesions, human mutations in cadherin complexes are implicated in several developmental disorders. For detailed descriptions of the diversity, physiological roles and biochemical properties of the numerous integrins, integrin-associated proteins, cadherins and adhesion complexes, we refer the reader to a number of recent excellent reviews.

8In the context of this Review, the ECM uses cellular adhesions to regulate or modulate tissue shaping by anchoring, signal/force transmission and cell migration. Owing to the importance of cell migration in embryogenesis, we devote a separate section to this topic below.

9Many developing organisms progress through stages in which a layer of ECM separates embryonic germ layers and/or surrounds a mass of cells. For example, the vitelline envelope surrounds the blastoderm and oocyte of Tribolium, Drosophila and other non-mammalian species, the cuticle surrounds Drosophila larval and pupal tissues, and the zona pellucida surrounds the oocyte of humans and other mammals. In these systems, spatiotemporal variations in cell-ECM adhesions during tissue-intrinsic contraction drive tissue shaping. For example, the Tribolium integrin termed ‘inflated’ temporarily mediates adhesion of blastodermal cells to the antero-ventral region of the vitelline envelope. This localized attachment guides unidirectional tissue elongation, because myosin contractile activity causes the non-anchored dorsal tissues to slide along the envelope. Similarly, in C. elegans, the attachment of epidermal cells to an FBN-1 extracellular fiber meshwork of the embryonic sheath anchors the epidermis to prevent its posterior displacement secondary to pulling forces of the developing pharynx (Fig. 3A,B).

10Turning to insights provided by Drosophila systems, the apical ECM protein Dumpy (Dp) anchors distal epithelial cells of the Drosophila pupal wing to the surrounding chitinous cuticle in a patterned manner (Fig. 4A,B). This Dp-mediated attachment resists tissue retraction that would otherwise result in the truncated wings, legs and antennae observed in dp loss-of-function mutants. Several Drosophila systems, including Dp-regulated limb morphogenesis, have been characterized by computational models that simulate the ability of cellular interactions to resist or transmit forces to drive oriented tissue growth during development. In addition to force resistance and transmission, these cell-matrix interactions allow the ECM to dissipate forces exerted on cells during tissue morphogenesis. This buffering role of the ECM occurs during formation of the Drosophila leg disc. In early stages of this process, the peripodial epithelium remains in a relaxed state because tensile forces caused by leg elongation are borne by the attached ECM. At latter stages, however, cell-matrix interactions are lost, retractile forces are transferred to the cell monolayer and the peripodial epithelium opens and retracts. Embryogenesis requires cooperation between the physical cell-adhesion mechanisms discussed above and various signaling processes that transfer mechanical information between cells and tissues.

11Appreciation of the roles of mechanical forces in developing tissues has grown from initial observations more than one century ago that documented load-induced bone remodeling, to recent elaborate investigations using advanced biophysical techniques that include cell migration simulators, in vivo embryo remodeling quantification systems and others. The ability of a cell to sense and transduce mechanical signals (termed mechanosensation and mechanotransduction, respectively; Box 1) is fundamental to biophysically guiding tissue morphogenesis. Coordination of this signaling between cells and their physical environment during development depends on ECM biophysical properties (Fig. 2A-D) [e.g. geometry, alignment and elasticity], cell-matrix adhesion (Fig. 1A) and intercellular adhesions. Cells not only synthesize and remodel the ECM, but also respond to mechanical information coming from the ECM. Cells sense physical stimuli from their microenvironment, such as ECM topography, composition and stiffness. These external signals are converted into cellular responses in the process of mechanotransduction. Research into the multiple mechanisms of mechanotransduction is rapidly expanding (reviewed by;;,; ).The following are key terms in this rapidly evolving field: Mechanobiology: characterizing how cells and tissues respond to mechanical/physical stimuli through integrating biology, engineering and physics.Mechanosensitive: describing a molecule that undergoes structural changes in response to mechanical stimuli.Mechanosensing: the process of detecting mechanical stimuli.Mechanotransduction: the overall process of sensing a mechanical signal and converting it to an intracellular response.Mechanosignaling: intracellular signaling events induced by extracellular mechanical stimuli.Among the wide variety of mechanisms of mechanotransduction [e.g. those involving cell-cell adherens junctions, mechanosensitive ion channels and others], integrin-based responses of cells to the extracellular matrix have recently been characterized in particular detail. As depicted schematically in a simplified form in Fig. 1A, the integrin cell-surface receptors for ECM molecules are heterodimers that bind to ECM molecules. Intracellular proteins bind to the cytoplasmic tails of integrins and organize multimolecular cell-matrix adhesion complexes in order to transmit external signals into the cell. A number of excellent reviews discuss the molecular composition of integrin-associated and other force-stimulated (e.g. non-integrin focal adhesion, stretch-sensitive ion channel, etc.) protein complexes.Upon sensing mechanical stimuli, mechanosensitive molecules can initiate or modulate a wide variety of specific intracellular signaling pathways, including the Rho GTPase-related, Hippo, TGFβ and YAP/TAZ signaling pathways. This signaling can lead to diverse series of functional and/or structural responses in the involved cells and tissues – the most extensively investigated of these are highlighted in each section of this Review (e.g. shape changes, migratory events and differentiation) (Fig. 1).

12Cells not only synthesize and remodel the ECM, but also respond to mechanical information coming from the ECM. Cells sense physical stimuli from their microenvironment, such as ECM topography, composition and stiffness. These external signals are converted into cellular responses in the process of mechanotransduction. Research into the multiple mechanisms of mechanotransduction is rapidly expanding (reviewed by;;,; ).

13The following are key terms in this rapidly evolving field: Mechanobiology: characterizing how cells and tissues respond to mechanical/physical stimuli through integrating biology, engineering and physics.Mechanosensitive: describing a molecule that undergoes structural changes in response to mechanical stimuli.Mechanosensing: the process of detecting mechanical stimuli.Mechanotransduction: the overall process of sensing a mechanical signal and converting it to an intracellular response.Mechanosignaling: intracellular signaling events induced by extracellular mechanical stimuli.

14Mechanobiology: characterizing how cells and tissues respond to mechanical/physical stimuli through integrating biology, engineering and physics.

15Mechanosensitive: describing a molecule that undergoes structural changes in response to mechanical stimuli.

16Mechanosensing: the process of detecting mechanical stimuli.

17Mechanotransduction: the overall process of sensing a mechanical signal and converting it to an intracellular response.

18Mechanosignaling: intracellular signaling events induced by extracellular mechanical stimuli.

19Among the wide variety of mechanisms of mechanotransduction [e.g. those involving cell-cell adherens junctions, mechanosensitive ion channels and others], integrin-based responses of cells to the extracellular matrix have recently been characterized in particular detail. As depicted schematically in a simplified form in Fig. 1A, the integrin cell-surface receptors for ECM molecules are heterodimers that bind to ECM molecules. Intracellular proteins bind to the cytoplasmic tails of integrins and organize multimolecular cell-matrix adhesion complexes in order to transmit external signals into the cell. A number of excellent reviews discuss the molecular composition of integrin-associated and other force-stimulated (e.g. non-integrin focal adhesion, stretch-sensitive ion channel, etc.) protein complexes.

20Upon sensing mechanical stimuli, mechanosensitive molecules can initiate or modulate a wide variety of specific intracellular signaling pathways, including the Rho GTPase-related, Hippo, TGFβ and YAP/TAZ signaling pathways. This signaling can lead to diverse series of functional and/or structural responses in the involved cells and tissues – the most extensively investigated of these are highlighted in each section of this Review (e.g. shape changes, migratory events and differentiation) (Fig. 1).

21For example, Drosophila dorsal closure relies on integrin-mediated cell-matrix adhesions for the transmission of intercellular tensile forces generated by cell constriction. When the number of these integrin-mediated focal adhesion-like structures is modified, intercellular apical force transmission is perturbed. The resulting abnormal contraction and ingression of the amniosera prevents opposing embryonic lateral epidermal cells from normally migrating toward the dorsal midline (Fig. 4C). Besides these integrin-mediated cell-ECM adhesions, cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesions are also crucial for proper force transmission across cells that make up the amniosera. Changes in cadherin localization and stability result in a similar failure of dorsal closure. In fact, cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions functionally interact to promote proper mechanical signaling in these developing tissues.

22Many morphogenetic events in embryogenesis are coordinated by muscle contractions, such as embryo elongation in C. elegans (Fig. 3C) and skeletogenesis in zebrafish, mouse, chick and other vertebrates. During these processes, mechanical information from muscle fibers is relayed to local environments via matrix-muscle adhesions and transmitted throughout tissues by cell-matrix and cell-cell junctions. Moreover, elongating C. elegans embryos rely on the ECM to coordinate communication between muscle, lateral epidermal and dorsal/ventral epidermal tissues. In this system, mechanical signals generated by muscle contractions are transmitted to and between epidermal cells via cell-matrix molecular tendons and adherens junctions, respectively. When functional mutations alter matrix-muscle adhesion proteins (e.g. altered NOAH-1 and NOAH-2), muscle contractions cannot convey signals through molecular tendons, intracellular actin fibers fail to polarize, cells orient inadequately along the anterior-posterior axis of the embryo and mid-elongation arrest ensues. These studies, together with others investigating cell adhesion complexes in developing tissues, indicate that cell-matrix interactions can regulate tissue shape using anchoring by relaying mechanical signals between cells and tissues, and by coordinating migratory events.

23Cell migration is crucial for embryogenesis: cells undergo initial specification during gastrulation and can then migrate separately or as collective assemblies guided by environmental cues to reach their destinations. These cues can be biochemical, such as diffusible or substrate-bound ligands (known as chemotaxis or haptotaxis, respectively) or physical, mediated by substrate composition, topography (e.g. contact guidance) and stiffness (durotaxis), which can regulate migration and differentiation (Fig. 1B,D; Fig. 2). Advances in live-cell/tissue imaging, tunable biomaterials and in vitro models have revealed mechanisms through which the ECM can regulate a large repertoire of cell migration modalities. In developing tissues, the ECM provides paths that can provide both directional and stop signals for coordinating cell migration.

24Numerous model systems have provided insights into cell migration during embryogenesis. Among these, studies of neural crest cell (NCC) development have substantially enhanced our understanding of complex ECM-cell interactions that govern migration. Triggered by cues such as substrate stiffness changes and transcription factors, NCCs display multiple migration modes [e.g. as organized groups, chains, sheets and/or relatively unorganized masses]. In addition, NCC migration is regulated through mechanisms that include contact inhibition of migration, durotaxis, and chemotaxis.

25Several recent reviews discuss coordinated ECM-NCC interactions during NCC migration in chick, mouse and Xenopus systems. We instead focus on recent studies and concepts discussing how ECM-cell interactions drive tissue formation in other systems, such as cells of the zebrafish ectoderm and mesendoderm, Xenopus mesendoderm and neurons and Drosophila myotubes, as well as in embryonic cell invasion.

26Embryonic cell migration can include amoeboid, mesenchymal or lobopodial 3D modes of cell migration [the multiple modes of 3D cell migration are reviewed by ]. Mesenchymal and lobopodial migration involve extensive integrin-mediated adhesion to surrounding ECM substrates, whereas amoeboid migration can involve non-specific interactions with ECM. Mesenchymal migration is characterized by cells using actin-driven lamellipodial or filopodial protrusions to adhere to, produce force against and migrate in or on the ECM. ECM biochemical and physical properties can regulate these leading edge protrusions and the resulting directed locomotion.

27The interplay between ECM constituents and cellular migration machinery is remarkably complex, requiring various membrane-bound and secreted cellular proteins to interact functionally at the cell-ECM interface to mediate or modulate embryonic cell migration. As portrayed in the following paragraphs, the identity and quantity of expressed proteins determine the positions of cell protrusions, the dimensions and stability of cell-ECM interfaces, and the ability of cells to sense and respond to their microenvironments.

28An early step in organized migration is the formation of oriented protrusions. For example, zebrafish prechordal plate cells secrete Cthrc1a (collagen triple helix repeat containing 1a) to generate polarized protrusions that interact functionally with fibronectin, and undergo extensive directed cell migration during axis extension and head formation. Depletion of cthrc1a results in failed epiboly, diminished anteroposterior axis elongation and head defects. Furthering this concept, ectodermal and mesodermal cells express the membrane-bound planar cell polarity protein Vangl2 (Vang-like 2) to form oriented actin-rich protrusions, achieve proper mediolateral alignment and elongation, and establish planar cell polarity in the zebrafish gastrula. Migrating vangl2 mutant cells lack directionality, but increasing the fibronectin content of the surrounding ECM can repolarize the large protrusions of vangl2 mutants and restore directional migration.

29The stability and dimensionality of cell-ECM interfaces influence cell migration. Drosophila embryonic hemocytes require prolonged, stable cell-ECM interactions to migrate along the ventral nerve cord. Hemocytes achieve stability of lamellipodia and prolonged cell-ECM adhesion states through autocrine deposition of laminin, a major basement membrane structural glycoprotein, in a Rab8-regulated manner. Exemplifying the importance of cell-ECM adhesive contact area, Xenopus mesendodermal cells increase expression of focal adhesion kinase during directional migration. Antisense morpholino oligonucleotide knockdown of focal adhesion kinase reduces the area of focal adhesion contacts, causes aberrant actin organization and uncoordinated cell protrusions, and, most notably, reduces spreading/traction forces and migration speed. At the tissue level, this focal adhesion kinase reduction results in defective neurulation, axial elongation and somitogenesis.

30To reach their destination and circumvent and/or break down potential ECM barriers, cells must sense and react to their microenvironment. Recent reviews describe how mechanosensitive retinal ganglion cell axons in the developing Xenopus brain traffic along stiffness gradients to achieve proper anatomic distribution. The concept of ECM stiffness and viscoelasticity regulating cell migration has been characterized in a variety of NCC systems.

31Recent publications illustrate the intricate ECM-cell exchanges of information that can either prevent initiation of migration or ensure that migrating cells halt at their intended destination. Common mechanisms through which the ECM regulates these events include providing zones of uniform cytokine/growth factor concentration in place of gradients during chemotaxis or haptotaxis, forming physical barriers to restrict cell movement, and providing signaling cues to alter the cellular machinery responsible for protrusion, adhesion and/or traction force generation. These ECM signals cooperate with other forms of signaling during development.

32A well-characterized example of attractant-guided cell migration involves the Cxcl12-Cxcr4/Cxcr7 signaling pathway. During embryogenesis, migrating mouse, chick, zebrafish and human primordial cells express the chemokine receptor Cxcr4. Stationary somatic cells express both the chemoattractant Cxcl12 to guide trafficking primordial cells, as well as the chemokine receptor Cxcr7 to endocytose excess Cxcl12. In these systems, the concentration of Cxcl12 serves as either a ‘green light’ or a ‘stop sign’ for migrating primordial cells. This chemokine signaling pathway regulates several cellular events not only in development, but also in disease. In addition, numerous cytokines/chemokines regulate processes in cell migration and embryogenesis that are beyond the scope of this Review, but are discussed elsewhere.

33To navigate through physical barriers, cells remodel either their cytoskeleton or the surrounding ECM. The cell nucleus is a relatively large and stiff cytoplasmic organelle that limits the capacity of migrating cells to squeeze through barriers, such as ECM pores that can serve as road blocks to migrating cells (Fig. 2B). The structural proteins lamins A and C are major contributors to nucleoskeletal stiffness, and their expression correlates with the ability of a cell to navigate through spaces and pores in the ECM. Alternatively, cells can either proteolytically or non-proteolytically deform their microenvironment. This proteolytic mechanism is nicely portrayed by dorsally migrating endodermal cells during zebrafish gastrulation. These cells regulate Mmp14a/b (matrix metalloproteinase 14) levels through expression of Gpc4 (glypican 4). In gpc4 zebrafish mutants, loss of functional Gpc4 impairs cell migration due to increased amounts of ECM fibronectin and laminin caused by diminished proteolytic degradation.

34A particularly important determinant of cell trafficking is the presence and activation of functional cellular migration machinery. For example, modifying the cellular contractile apparatus can have an even greater effect on cell migration than altering the surrounding ECM microenvironment, as demonstrated during contact guidance of cells migrating in 3D collagen matrices. The complex interplay between signaling, adhesions and matrix assembly is exemplified by the transcription factor Pitx2 (paired-like homeodomain 2) and its downstream activities. Classically characterized by its involvement in left-right patterning during asymmetric morphogenesis, recent insights suggest that Pitx2c serves an additional key role in chemokine-ECM-integrin-dependent mesendodermal migration in early embryogenesis. Using pitx2c-deletion mutant zebrafish embryos, Pitx2c expression has been shown to promote mesendodermal cell migration by coordinating Cxcl12b chemokine signaling, integrin β1 expression and ECM fibronectin assembly. Pitx2 is not only crucial for zebrafish embryogenesis, but also for mouse, Xenopus, chicken and human development.

35Further demonstrating the ability of the ECM to modify the cellular migration machinery, ECM cues can actively suppress sensory actin-rich filipodia in an integrin-dependent manner. This role is observed in elongating Drosophila myotube tips that probe the ECM to locate ‘stop signs’ (the matrix overlying tendon cells) and establish sites of tendon attachment during lateral transverse muscle development. Exploratory and sensory behavior of cellular protrusions, cell-substrate adhesion and cell traction-force generation involve a multitude of signaling mechanisms that contribute to cell migration during embryogenesis.

36Conversely, a cell that is initially restrained by a barrier such as the underlying basement membrane can use multiple strategies to breach it. A particularly striking developmental example – reminiscent of human cancer cell invasion – is used by the C. elegans anchor cell for vulval invasion (Fig. 3D). This cell initially produces focal points of degradation of the basement membrane using invadopodia, which then proceeds to a large breach using a combination of matrix metalloproteinase degradation and forces generated by actin polymerization driven by Arp2/3. Interestingly, even if protease function is inhibited, the local deformation forces fueled by local mitochondrial enrichment and expanded by lysosomal fusion to form a large protrusion are ultimately sufficient to breach the basement membrane barrier to permit invasion.

37In addition to its well-known role as a scaffold the ECM can regulate morphological properties of cells and tissues via a variety of mechanical cues. Cells drive morphogenesis through a series of changes in three-dimensional shape (Fig. 1C), orientation and position [e.g. columnar-to-cuboidal, cuboidal-to-columnar, polarity, intercalation, etc.] to provide a diverse toolbox for shaping the developing embryo.

38The ECM uses this toolbox to help coordinate development. Matrix physical properties, e.g. stiffness, elasticity, density and fiber orientation (Fig. 2), influence local cell and tissue shape and polarity.

39Recent advances in 3D cell culture techniques have revealed how cell shape changes can drive morphogenesis. Cell shape change, along with oriented cell division and polarized cell intercalation, contribute to driving epithelial elongation in development.

40In Drosophila wing and leg elongation, after the peripodial layer is removed, ECM remodeling is responsible for initiating wing elongation (Fig. 4B). Triggered by this matrix remodeling, neighboring cells flatten (completing a columnar-to-cuboidal transition) to drive lateral tissue expansion.

41Furthermore, both cell and tissue shape are influenced by mechanical properties of the basement membrane in the developing Drosophila follicle. A TGFβ-driven decrease in basement membrane stiffness is associated with flattening of anterior follicle cells, which contributes to the final elongated morphology of the egg chamber (Fig. 4D). In other species, several investigations have identified that similar cell flattening events are responsible for embryonic morphogenetic changes in zebrafish and Xenopus.

42While the ECM promotes flattening of the anterior Drosophila follicle cells, it simultaneously constrains the posterior follicle cells to induce a cuboidal-to-columnar shape transition. Specifically, between stages 6 and 9 of egg chamber development, the basement membrane physically constrains the underlying cells at the posterior pole. In conjunction with medial myosin II contraction and adherens junction remodeling, follicle cells undergo a resulting cuboidal-to-columnar transition (Fig. 4D).

43Beyond its effects on individual cells, fibrillar structures of the ECM provide anisotropic constraining forces to drive and orient morphogenetic events at the tissue level. This is classically illustrated by the polarized fibrillar basement membrane serving as a ‘molecular corset’ surrounding the growing Drosophila egg chamber. In this case, the basement membrane physically constrains outward expansion of the egg chamber to force growth to occur along the anterior-posterior axis (Fig. 4D). A similar phenomenon is observed in C. elegans, in which the ECM not only constrains the shape of the embryo, but also provides crucial attachment sites for contracting muscle fibers (Fig. 3C).

44The ECM provides information regulating cell orientation and polarity. For example, stiffness cues provided by the basement membrane of the developing Drosophila follicle regulate polarized reorientation of anterior follicle cells. When these cues are compromised, Src tyrosine kinase-driven remodeling of cell-cell junctions is altered, anterior follicle cells randomly orient along the anterior-posterior axis and the organ fails to achieve its appropriate shape.

45Polarity and orientation of cells and tissues is closely regulated by several factors, including adhesion complexes, actin organization, actomyosin contraction and ECM signals. For example, the ECM surrounding the elongating C. elegans embryo is essential for establishing bipolar planar polarity of the apical PAR module (a protein complex responsible for organizing cell junctions at the apical cell surface) of lateral epidermal cells. The resulting planar organization of actin helps to orient cell-shape changes and polarize the developing embryo. Indeed, genetic depletion of the ECM protein perlecan results in altered actin planar polarity and cell orientation.

46Many of the investigations characterizing the ability of the ECM to regulate polarity and orientation in development are limited to the Drosophila and C. elegans models, as described in this section. This is probably because of the complexity of comprehensively analyzing 3D in vivo embryogenic events in mammals. Investigations in this field may soon rapidly expand as emerging techniques provide the ability to manipulate in vivo mechanical signals directly in the developing embryo.

47Specific ECM microenvironmental niches, biochemical cues and mechanical signals are intriguing candidate factors for guiding the differentiation of pluripotent embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells, as well as fate-restricted adult stem cells (e.g. mesenchymal, hematopoietic, neural or epithelial). The ECM regulates stem cells through a complex mixture of mechanical cues that include matrix geometry and chirality, rigidity, ligand density and topography (Fig. 2). A number of recent reviews have addressed the broad topic of ECM mechanical properties that can regulate stem cell fate. Consequently, this Review provides a brief overview of key concepts in this field and refers readers to recent relevant literature for additional information.

48In addition to promoting stem cell support within a specific microenvironmental niche, the mechanical properties of the ECM can strongly influence a variety of stem cell behaviors including maintenance, self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation (Fig. 1D). For example, manipulating substrate elasticity/stiffness alters mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) fate and embryonic stem cell (ESC) fate, driving cell lineage commitment towards tissues with similar physical properties, e.g. towards soft adipose or stiff osseous tissue. ECM topographical cues, including geometric chirality and ligand density (Fig. 2E), as well as matrix stress-relaxation cues, influence MSC differentiation. For example, transcriptional changes occur in mouse MSCs when cultured on substrates of varying adhesion ligand density, stiffness and stress relaxation rate, which drive osteogenic or hematopoietic differentiation. Similar studies with ESCs characterize the role of surface roughness of the substrate and the size of landscape features (Fig. 2A) in modulating ESC differentiation potential. Various molecular pathways (e.g. Notch and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, among others) are hypothesized to serve prominent roles in regulating the responses of stem cells to substrate mechanics. Consequently, the biophysical properties of the ECM regulate stem cell differentiation through a coordinated balance of multiple physical mechanisms, the complexity and mechanisms of which are only starting to be characterized.

49Compared with adult stem cells, the body of literature describing biophysical contributions of the ECM to pluripotent ESC differentiation for potential clinical application is currently strikingly sparse, with many investigations focusing on the topographical features described above. Such topographical studies move us closer to possible future use of ESCs in clinical tissue regeneration, but a complicating feature is that ESCs are known to respond to a wide range of both biomechanical and biochemical cues. Consequently, even though some adult stem cells, such as hematopoietic stem cells, have achieved clear success in regenerative medicine, the clinical use of ESCs remains controversial for both ethical and practical reasons. To further our understanding of embryonic development and to continue making progress towards potential clinical applications of embryonic stem cells, the complex interplay between the ECM and ESCs should be better characterized in terms of ECM roles and mechanisms for providing specific microenvironmental niches and biomechanical regulatory mechanisms that can guide cell fate.

50Over the past decade, classical and innovative research approaches and techniques (Box 2) have identified many diverse biophysical and mechanical roles for the ECM during morphogenesis of many organisms and model systems, including zebrafish, Drosophila, C. elegans and Xenopus. Considerably less is known about the biophysical regulation of embryos developing in utero, although in ovo studies in avian embryos and new intrauterine methods for mammalian embryos are providing new opportunities to overcome the technical problems of smaller sample size, inaccessibility and long gestational periods. Gene ablation and overexpression altering ECM compositionCrosslinking of ECM constituentsAlteration in alignment, pore size or other physical parametersExperimentally induced individual protein degradationSpecific antibodies, pharmacological agents and other inhibitorsOptogenetic activation or depletion of proteins3D tissue and organ cultureAtomic force microscopy (AFM) and microrheologyLaser ablationForce-sensing molecules [e.g. chimeras with vinculin, talin or peptides]Local force determination via analyzing droplet deformationLocal application of force [e.g. by magnetic beads or optical tweezers]

51Gene ablation and overexpression altering ECM composition

52Crosslinking of ECM constituents

53Alteration in alignment, pore size or other physical parameters

54Experimentally induced individual protein degradation

55Specific antibodies, pharmacological agents and other inhibitors

56Optogenetic activation or depletion of proteins

573D tissue and organ culture

58Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and microrheology

59Laser ablation

60Force-sensing molecules [e.g. chimeras with vinculin, talin or peptides]

61Local force determination via analyzing droplet deformation

62Local application of force [e.g. by magnetic beads or optical tweezers]

63Adding to the complexity of species differences in development, the ECM is not static during embryogenesis. Developing organs and tissues interact with similarly dynamically changing matrices throughout embryogenesis. To address some of these hurdles, in vitro bioengineered models recapitulating key milestones of mammalian development provide preliminary insights into the mechanisms of ECM mechanical regulation. However, such models merely skim the surface of the intricate mechanical and molecular signaling systems in embryogenesis.

64What controls the changing biophysical properties of the ECM at progressive developmental stages? What molecular mechanisms allow the ECM and the cells that synthesize ECM to sense and respond to cues from cells and tissues? Are these mechanisms consistent between different tissue types? Are such mechanisms conserved between different organisms? These and many other unanswered questions, combined with rapidly emerging new techniques to explore these topics, make this an exciting time for the field of ECM developmental biology. The field is likely to move toward increasingly quantitative approaches involving directly quantifying changing ECM composition and physical parameters as development proceeds, combined with mathematical modeling to characterize mechanisms and generate new testable hypotheses. ECM molecules continue to be identified as therapeutic and prognostic targets in disease. Approaches to precisely control synthetic ECM forces and properties are emerging and tissue engineering strategies focusing on biophysical properties of the ECM are rapidly progressing. Novel methods to produce completely autologous implants are being explored. Besides ultimately gaining a satisfyingly deep mechanistic understanding of the roles of ECM in development, we can hope to begin to link the basic biophysics of ECM embryology to the clinical field of regenerative medicine.