Salivary gland branching morphogenesis.
Salivary gland branching morphogenesis involves coordinated cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, migration, apoptosis, and interaction of epithelial, mesenchymal, endothelial, and neuronal cells. The ex vivo analysis of embryonic mouse submandibular glands, which branch so reproducibly and beautifully in culture, is a powerful tool to investigate the molecular mechanisms regulating epithelium-mesenchyme interactions during development. The more recent analysis of genetically modified mice provides insight into the genetic regulation of branching morphogenesis. The review begins, as did the field historically, focusing on the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and its components such as glycosaminoglycans, collagens, and laminins. Following sections describe the modification of the ECM by proteases and the role of cell-matrix and cell-cell receptors. The review then focuses on two major families of growth factors implicated in salivary gland development, the fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and the epidermal growth factors (EGFs). The salivary gland phenotypes in mice with genetic modification of FGFs and their receptors highlight the central role of FGFs during salivary gland branching morphogenesis. A broader section mentions other molecules implicated from analysis of the phenotypes of genetically modified mice or organ culture experiments. The review concludes with speculation on some future areas of research.
Patel
Vaishali N
VN
Matrix and Morphogenesis Unit, Craniofacial Developmental Biology and Regeneration Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, 30 Convent Dr Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Rebustini
Ivan T
IT
Hoffman
Matthew P
MP
D000818:Animals; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005544:Forecasting; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology; D009024:Morphogenesis; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000502:physiology*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000196:embryology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta
D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases