A joint research team of RIKEN Center for Biosystems Biosciences, Bioresource Research Center, and Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine has clarified the mechanism by which tubular organs such as the trachea develop into the correct shape in mice.
The organs of multicellular organisms have a luminal structure with space inside the tubes made by cells.For example, blood vessels serve as blood transport channels, digestive organs serve as food processing lines, and bronchi serve as breathing intake and exhaust devices.Although the length, thickness, and placement of these "tubes" are precisely controlled, previous studies of mammalian lumen formation have focused on small lumens such as capillaries, salivary glands, and mammary glands. However, the mechanism by which large tubes such as organs were created was completely unknown.
Therefore, this collaborative research team investigated the mechanism for determining the length and thickness of the trachea using developing mice.As a result, it was revealed that the trachea first extended in the length direction and then expanded in diameter.In addition, from the gene function analysis, the Wnt5a-Ror2 signal is used to align and connect the cells that are the source of tracheal smooth muscle in the circumferential direction, promoting the longitudinal elongation of the tracheal epithelium, and Sox9. It was found that the gene promotes the differentiation and growth of tracheal cartilage tissue and regulates the diameter.
Smooth muscle and cartilage are tissues derived from mesenchyme, and it has been clarified that the polarity and differentiation of mesenchyme cells play an important role in the formation of ductal structure.The results of this research are expected to lead to application to molding technology for regenerated organs and understanding of pathological conditions such as congenital tracheal stenosis.
Paper information:[Nature Communications] Synchronized mesenchymal cell polarization and differentiation shape the formation of the murine trachea and esophagus
