Abstract
Branching morphogenesis is a multi-step process that controls the formation of polarised tubules starting from hollow cysts. Its execution entails a series of rate-limiting events which include reversible disruption of cell polarity, dismantling of intercellular contacts, acquisition of a motile phenotype, stimulation of cell proliferation, and final re-establishment of cell polarity for creation of the definitive structures. Branching morphogenesis takes place physiologically during development, accounting for the establishment of organs endowed with a ramified architecture such as glands, the respiratory tract and the vascular tree. In cancer, aberrant implementation of branching morphogenesis leads to deregulated proliferation, protection from apoptosis and enhanced migratory/invasive properties, which together exacerbate the aggressive features of neoplastic cells. Under both physiological and pathological conditions, branching morphogenesis is mainly accomplished by a family of growth factors known as scatter factors. In this review, we will summarise the current knowledge on the biological and functional roles of scatter factors during branching morphogenesis, with a special emphasis on the phenotypic (structural and histological) consequences of scatter factor activity in different tissues.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 79-92 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | European journal of histochemistry : EJH |
Volume | 51 |
Issue number | SUPPL.1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2007 |
Keywords
- Branching morphogenesis
- Cell adhesion and motility
- Scatter factors
- Tyrosine kinases
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cell Biology
- Histology
- Biophysics
- Anatomy
- Animal Science and Zoology
- Developmental Biology