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Mouse Embryonic Lung Culture, A System to Evaluate the Molecular Mechanisms of Branching
Published on: June 30, 2010
Expression of Spred and Sprouty in developing rat lung
Shuichi Hashimoto1, Hiroshi Nakano, Gurmukh Singh
1Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. hashi@pathol1.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
Sproutys and Sprouty-related proteins, Spred-1 and -2, are known inhibitors of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling, which plays key role in lung branching morphogenesis and the development of other tissues. The present study demonstrates that Spreds are expressed in a variety of rat embryonic tissues (brain, intestine, heart, skin) including the lung. In the embryonic lung, Spreds and Sproutys are expressed during the early stages of branching morphogenesis, but their expression profiles are both distinct and overlapping. Spreds are predominantly expressed in mesenchymal cells in contrast to Sproutys, which are abundantly expressed in epithelial cells. Spred expression is especially strong in the regions of new bud formation both in the peripheral mesenchyme as well as in the epithelium. The peripheral region also expresses FGF-10 in the mesenchymal cells and FGF-9 in the mesothelial cells. The expression profiles suggest that Spreds, Sproutys and FGF-9/FGF-10 are part of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, which are essential for the development and maintenance of normal lung branching pattern.
Insights
Spreds and Sproutys regulate lung development by inhibiting fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling. Their distinct expression in lung epithelial and mesenchymal cells suggests a role in branching morphogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is crucial for lung branching morphogenesis.
- Sproutys and Spruoty-related proteins (Spreds) are known inhibitors of FGF signaling.
- The precise roles of Spreds in embryonic lung development are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of Spreds and Sproutys in embryonic rat lung.
- To elucidate the potential involvement of Spreds, Sproutys, and FGFs in lung branching morphogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Expression analysis of Spreds and Sproutys in various embryonic rat tissues, including the lung.
- Detailed examination of Spred and Sprouty expression during lung branching morphogenesis stages.
- Correlation of Spred and Sprouty expression with FGF-9 and FGF-10 expression in the developing lung.
Main Results:
- Spreds and Sproutys are expressed in multiple embryonic rat tissues, including the lung.
- Distinct yet overlapping expression patterns of Spreds (mesenchyme) and Sproutys (epithelium) were observed during lung branching.
- Spred expression was prominent in new bud formation regions, co-localizing with FGF-9 and FGF-10.
Conclusions:
- Spreds and Sproutys are key regulators of lung branching morphogenesis.
- Their differential expression in epithelial and mesenchymal cells highlights their role in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions.
- Spreds, Sproutys, and FGF-9/FGF-10 likely collaborate to maintain normal lung development.
