Tube or not tube: remodeling epithelial tissues by branching morphogenesis.
Branching morphogenesis involves the restructuring of epithelial tissues into complex and organized ramified tubular networks. Early rounds of branching are controlled genetically in a hardwired fashion in many organs, whereas later, branching is stochastic, responding to environmental cues. We discuss this sequential process from formation of an organ anlage and invagination of the epithelium to branch initiation and outgrowth in several model systems including Drosophila trachea and mammalian lung, mammary gland, and kidney.
Affolter
Markus
M
Abteilung Zellbiologie, Biozentrum der Universität Basel, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland. markus.affolter@unibas.ch
Bellusci
Savério
S
Itoh
Nobuyuki
N
Shilo
Benny
B
Thiery
Jean-Paul
JP
Werb
Zena
Z
D000818:Animals; D001940:Breast / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002465:Cell Movement; D004848:Epithelium / Q000196:embryology*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009928:Organ Specificity; D014132:Trachea / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology