Viscoelastic properties of embryonic neuroepithelial cells in neural tube defects mice

Objective To explore the role of mechanical properties of embryonic neuroepithelial cells in the process of neural tube closure. Methods Neural tube defects (NTDs) mouse model was established by intragastric administration with all-trans retinoic acid at embryo 7.25 day. All the pregnant mice were sacrificed at embryo 9.5 day and 11.5 day, respectively, and the primary neuroepithelial cells were isolated from neural tube tissue of normal and NTDs mice, respectively. The mechanical characteristics of neuroepithelial cells were analyzed using micropipette aspiration technique combined with a standard solid viscoelastic mechanical model. Results The mechanical characteristics of mouse embryonic neuroepithelial cells showed typical viscoelastic solid characteristics. Compared with the control group, the three viscoelastic parameters, i.e. equilibrium modulus, transient modulus and apparent viscosity coefficient, of the neuroepithelial cells in the NTDs group were significantly increased, and the differences were statistically significant (all P 0.05). Conclusion The decrease in the deformability of embryonic neuroepithelial cells may be one of the factors responsible for neural tube closure disorders. Key words: Feural tube defects; Embryonic neuroepithelial cells; Micropipette aspiration; Viscoelasticity; Cell deformability