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Collective epithelial and mesenchymal cell migration during gastrulation
Manli Chuai1, David Hughes, Cornelis J Weijer
1Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK.
Current Genomics
|December 4, 2012
Summary
Gastrulation involves complex cell movements to position germ layers. Signaling and cell migration are key to embryo development and tissue patterning.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Embryology
Background:
- Gastrulation establishes the three primary germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm) through organized cell migration.
- This process is crucial for correct embryonic positioning and subsequent tissue formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on the mechanisms controlling cell behaviors during chick embryo gastrulation.
- To explore insights into epithelial cell vortex movements, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and mesendoderm cell migration.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on gastrulation mechanisms.
- Analysis of cell behaviors including collective cell migration, vortex formation, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT).
Main Results:
- Gastrulation involves highly organized collective cell migration of epithelial and mesenchymal cells.
- The primitive streak formation is associated with large-scale epithelial cell vortex movements.
- Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is critical for hypoblast formation and mesendoderm ingression.
Conclusions:
- Instructive cell-cell signaling and directed chemotactic responses are essential for all gastrulation phases.
- The interplay between signaling and cell movement drives tissue patterning and morphogenesis during gastrulation.
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