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Epithelial shape change in mouse embryonic submandibular gland: Modulation by extracellular matrix components
Author(s) -
Nakanishi Yasuo,
Ishii Takahiro
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.950110602
Subject(s) - mesenchyme , basal lamina , extracellular matrix , microbiology and biotechnology , morphogenesis , epithelium , mesenchymal stem cell , glycosaminoglycan , submandibular gland , matrix (chemical analysis) , chemistry , biology , function (biology) , embryonic stem cell , anatomy , biochemistry , ultrastructure , endocrinology , genetics , gene , chromatography
Early morphogenesis of mouse submandibular gland provides an excellent model for the formation of epithelial lobules as a consequence of epithelial‐mesenchymal interactions. Both proteoglycans and a glycosaminoglycan, high molecular weight components which contain amino‐sugars and hexuronic acids, seem to be important in maintaining the lobular structure through the formation of epithelial basal lamina. Collagen also appears to play a crucial role in this morphogenesis. By visualizing the distribution of collagen fibrils and by changing the concentration of collagen in the gland, we have developed a new hypothesis which emphasizes the mechanical role of mesenchyme in epithelial cleft formation. Precise mechanisms for the involvement of these molecules have not been elucidated, yet it is now clear that knowledge of the function of the extracellular matrix components is a prerequisite for understanding the epithelial‐mesenchymal interactions.