RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 A biomechanical switch regulates the transition towards homeostasis in esophageal epithelium JF bioRxiv FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory SP 2021.02.03.428820 DO 10.1101/2021.02.03.428820 A1 Jamie McGinn A1 Adrien Hallou A1 Seungmin Han A1 Kata Krizic A1 Svetlana Ulyanchenko A1 Ramiro Iglesias-Bartolome A1 Frances J. England A1 Christophe Verstreken A1 Kevin J. Chalut A1 Kim B. Jensen A1 Benjamin D. Simons A1 Maria P. Alcolea YR 2021 UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2021/02/03/2021.02.03.428820.abstract AB Epithelial cells are highly dynamic and can rapidly adapt their behavior in response to tissue perturbations and increasing tissue demands. However, the processes that finely control these responses and, particularly, the mechanisms that ensure the correct switch to and from normal tissue homeostasis are largely unknown. Here we explore changes in cell behavior happening at the interface between postnatal development and homeostasis in the epithelium of the mouse esophagus, as a physiological model exemplifying a rapid but controlled tissue growth transition. Single cell RNA sequencing and histological analysis of the mouse esophagus reveal significant mechanical changes in the epithelium upon tissue maturation. Organ stretching experiments further indicate that tissue strain caused by the differential growth of the mouse esophagus relative to the entire body promotes the emergence of a defined committed population in the progenitor compartment as homeostasis is established. Our results point to a simple mechanism whereby the mechanical changes experienced at the whole tissue level are integrated with those “sensed” at the cellular level to control epithelial cell behavior and tissue maintenance.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.