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Organ-Specific Branching Morphogenesis.
Christine Lang1,2, Lisa Conrad1,2, Dagmar Iber1,2
1Department of Biosystems, Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland.
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|June 21, 2021
Summary
Branching morphogenesis shapes organs like lungs and kidneys. This review explores how signaling pathways, mesenchyme, and the extracellular matrix influence branching patterns, offering insights into organ development and disorders.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Organogenesis
Background:
- Branching morphogenesis is a fundamental process for forming epithelial structures in organs such as lungs and kidneys.
- The mechanisms by which this conserved process generates diverse organ architectures with distinct shapes and functions are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare branching morphogenesis and its regulation in lungs and kidneys.
- To discuss the roles of signaling pathways, mesenchyme, extracellular matrix, and cytoskeleton in determining organ-specific branch characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Comparative review of existing literature on lung and kidney development.
- Analysis of molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating epithelial branching.
Main Results:
- Signaling pathways, mesenchyme, extracellular matrix, and cytoskeleton act as organ-specific determinants of branch position, orientation, and shape.
- These factors contribute to the adaptation of a conserved developmental process to varied organ structures.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the determinants of branch and organ shape is crucial for deciphering how a common developmental process yields diverse organ forms.
- Insights gained can illuminate epithelial morphogenesis and provide understanding of developmental disorders.
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