# IBEC-led study finds stretched epithelia rebuild keratin networks and uncage nuclei

_Sunday, August 2, 2026 at 7:51 PM EDT · Science · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

Researchers led by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia report in Nature Physics that epithelial cells under hours-long stretch rebuild their keratin cytoskeleton across groups of cells and gradually force the nucleus out of its keratin cage.

The team grew engineered epithelial tissues in a microfluidic stretcher and tracked live-cell changes with computer models. Over several hours, fine keratin filaments assembled into thick, star-shaped bundles that crossed cell boundaries and distributed stress. Modeling and imaging showed the same process thins the mesh around the nucleus until it separates almost completely, a response the authors call nuclear uncaging.

Actin restrained how quickly keratin reorganized: weakening actin-keratin links made bundles form almost three times faster. Co-lead Xavier Trepat said it remains open whether uncaging protects the nucleus from a stressed network or leaves it more exposed. The paper lists DOI 10.1038/s41567-026-03371-8.

## Sources

- [SciTechDaily](https://scitechdaily.com/cells-join-forces-to-survive-prolonged-mechanical-strain/)

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