Cellular dynamics of epithelial clefting during branching morphogenesis of the mouse submandibular gland.
We cultured the rudimental submandibular gland (SMG) of mice with a non-cell-permeable fluorescent tracer, and observed cell behavior during epithelial branching morphogenesis using confocal time-lapse microscopy. We traced movements of individual cells as shadowgraph movies. Individual epithelial cells migrated dynamically but erratically. The epithelial cleft extended by wiggling and separated a cluster of cells into two buds during branching. We examined the ultrastructure of the clefts in SMG rudiments treated with the laminin peptide A5G77f, which induces epithelial clefting. A short cytoplasmic shelf with a core of microfilaments was found at the deep end of the cleft. We propose that epithelial clefting involves a dynamic movement of cells at the base of the cleft, and the formation of a shelf within a cleft cell. The shelf might form a matrix attachment point at the base of the cleft with a core of microfilaments driving cleft elongation.
Kadoya
Yuichi
Y
Department of Anatomy, Kitasato University School of Allied Health Sciences, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Japan. kadoya@kitasato-u.ac.jp
Yamashina
Shohei
S
D000818:Animals; D002477:Cells; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D007797:Laminin / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000166:cytology*
D007797:Laminin