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Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Molecular Analysis of Endothelial-mesenchymal Transition Induced by Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling
Published on: August 3, 2018
TGFβ determines epithelial tissue spacing by regulating mesenchymal condensation.
Chan Jin Park1, Pengfei Zhang1, Carolina Trenado-Yuste1,2
1Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.
Branch spacing in developing lungs is regulated by transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) signaling to the mesenchyme. This signaling drives mesenchymal cell migration, which physically separates developing epithelial branches, ensuring efficient gas exchange.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Vertebrate lung development requires epithelial branches to avoid contact for efficient gas exchange.
- Previous research suggested intrinsic epithelial growth mechanisms controlled branch spacing.
- The physical mechanisms underlying branch spacing remained unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physical mechanisms regulating epithelial branch spacing during lung development.
- To identify the signaling pathways involved in preventing branch contact.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the embryonic chicken lung as a model system.
- Analyzed cell proliferation patterns in developing lung epithelium.
- Investigated the role of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) signaling in mesenchymal cell behavior.
Main Results:
- Branch spacing is primarily regulated by transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) signaling to the mesenchyme.
- TGFβ signaling promotes directed mesenchymal cell migration, forming condensations that displace the epithelium.
- Disruption of TGFβ signaling leads to mesenchymal condensation failure and epithelial branch contact.
Conclusions:
- Mesenchymal cell dynamics, not epithelial self-avoidance, drive branch spacing in the developing lung.
- TGFβ-mediated mesenchymal cell migration is crucial for establishing proper lung architecture.
- This study reveals a novel mechanism for tissue self-organization during organogenesis.
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