Cellular mechanisms regulating epithelial morphogenesis and cancer invasion
Ryan S Gray1, Kevin J Cheung, Andrew J Ewald
1Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N. Wolfe St, Rangos 452, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|September 14, 2010
Summary
Mammalian epithelial morphogenesis, crucial for development, was studied using advanced imaging. New insights reveal collective cell migration in mammary gland development, challenging previous models.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Epithelial morphogenesis is fundamental to mammalian development and organ function.
- Studying these processes in vivo is challenging due to tissue opacity.
- Advances in imaging and culture techniques now allow direct observation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular mechanisms of mammalian epithelial morphogenesis.
- To characterize the process of branching morphogenesis in the mammary gland.
- To explore the implications for understanding cancer progression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized advanced timelapse imaging techniques.
- Employed 3D organotypic culture models of mammary gland development.
- Observed and analyzed collective epithelial cell migration and rearrangement.
Main Results:
- Branching morphogenesis in the mammary gland occurs via a novel collective epithelial migration.
- The fundamental unit is a multilayered epithelium with reduced polarity and vigorous cell rearrangement.
- Duct initiation and elongation occur without leading cellular extensions or dedicated leader cells.
Conclusions:
- Mammary gland development involves a unique collective cell migration mechanism.
- These findings offer new perspectives on epithelial morphogenesis in other organs.
- Understanding these mechanisms is critical for insights into cancer progression.
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