Vesicle tension in porous membranes: Aspiration, spreading, and tube extraction

Abstract

We review recent theoretical and experimental advances in understanding the mechanical tension of porous vesicles. Focusing on three key deformation processes, aspiration, spreading, and tube extrusion, we show how membrane porosity introduces novel timescales and feedback mechanisms that alter vesicle behavior. In particular, we highlight how tube extrusion from porous membranes demonstrates the vesicle's ability to regulate internal volume and dynamically modulate membrane tension. This regulation enables the sustained elongation of membrane tubes under milder mechanical conditions than those required for nonporous vesicles. These findings provide new insight into biologically relevant processes such as organelle shaping, intracellular transport, and mechanosensitive remodeling, emphasizing the crucial role of membrane permeability in cellular morphodynamics.