title: Epithelial branching: the power of self-loathing.
abstract: Branching morphogenesis of epithelia is an important mechanism in mammalian development. The last decade has seen the identification of many signalling pathways and intracellular mechanisms that control epithelial branching. Tissue-level mechanisms that space new branches out have, however, remained an unsolved problem. A recent publication by Nelson et al.1 suggests--if extrapolation from their novel and abstract culture system is valid--that branches may be spaced out by a system of mutual inhibition based on diffusion of TGFbeta. Such a system would allow a developing tree to arrange itself, without detailed genetic specification, by adaptive self-organization.
authors.affiliation: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wen-Chin
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jamie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000254:growth & development*; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development; D051379:Mice; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta