A retinoic acid-dependent network in the foregut controls formation of the mouse lung primordium.
The developmental abnormalities associated with disruption of signaling by retinoic acid (RA), the biologically active form of vitamin A, have been known for decades from studies in animal models and humans. These include defects in the respiratory system, such as lung hypoplasia and agenesis. However, the molecular events controlled by RA that lead to formation of the lung primordium from the primitive foregut remain unclear. Here, we present evidence that endogenous RA acts as a major regulatory signal integrating Wnt and Tgfbeta pathways in the control of Fgf10 expression during induction of the mouse primordial lung. We demonstrated that activation of Wnt signaling required for lung formation was dependent on local repression of its antagonist, Dickkopf homolog 1 (Dkk1), by endogenous RA. Moreover, we showed that simultaneously activating Wnt and repressing Tgfbeta allowed induction of both lung buds in RA-deficient foreguts. The data in this study suggest that disruption of Wnt/Tgfbeta/Fgf10 interactions represents the molecular basis for the classically reported failure to form lung buds in vitamin A deficiency.
Chen
Felicia
F
Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA.
Cao
Yuxia
Y
Qian
Jun
J
Shao
Fengzhi
F
Niederreither
Karen
K
Cardoso
Wellington V
WV
D000818:Animals; D004064:Digestive System / Q000378:metabolism*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D051526:Fibroblast Growth Factor 10 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
C496464:Fgf10 protein, mouse; D051526:Fibroblast Growth Factor 10; D011506:Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014212:Tretinoin