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Diverse roles of E‐cadherin in the morphogenesis of the submandibular gland: Insights into the formation of acinar and ductal structures
Author(s) -
Walker Janice L.,
Menko A. Sue,
Khalil Sheede,
Rebustini Ivan,
Hoffman Matthew P.,
Kreidberg Jordan A.,
Kukuruzinska Maria A.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.21717
Subject(s) - morphogenesis , biology , cadherin , ductal cells , microbiology and biotechnology , cytokeratin , submandibular gland , embryonic stem cell , cell , endocrinology , immunology , immunohistochemistry , gene , genetics
The formation of acinar and ductal structures during epithelial tissue branching morphogenesis is not well understood. We report that in the mouse submandibular gland (SMG), acinar and ductal cell fates are determined early in embryonic morphogenesis with E‐cadherin playing pivotal roles in development. We identified two morphologically distinct cell populations at the single bud stage, destined for different functions. The outer layer of columnar cells with organized E‐cadherin junctions expressed the neonatal acinar marker B1 by E13.5, demonstrating their acinar fate. The interior cells initially lacked distinct E‐cadherin junctions, but with morphogenesis formed cytokeratin 7 (K7) ‐positive ductal structures with organized E‐cadherin junctions and F‐actin filaments. Inhibition of E‐cadherin function with either siRNA or function blocking antibody caused extensive apoptosis of ductal cells and aberrantly dilated lumens, providing the first evidence that E‐cadherin regulates ductal lumen formation during branching morphogenesis of the salivary gland. Developmental Dynamics 237:3128–3141, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.