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TGF‐β1 Inhibits Growth and Branching Morphogenesis In Embryonic Mouse Submandibular and Sublingual Glands in Vitro
Author(s) -
Hardman Patricia,
Landels Eleanor,
Woolf Adrian S.,
Spooner Brian S.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
development, growth and differentiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.864
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1440-169X
pISSN - 0012-1592
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-169x.1994.00567.x
Subject(s) - morphogenesis , submandibular gland , biology , embryo , messenger rna , ontogeny , microbiology and biotechnology , transforming growth factor , in vitro , sublingual gland , embryonic stem cell , medicine , epithelium , salivary gland , endocrinology , embryogenesis , gene , biochemistry , genetics
Members of the TGF‐β superfamily of polypeptides are key regulators in developmental processes. Several studies have shown that expression of TGF‐β mRNA and protein are developmentally regulated and that both are prominently expressed in tissues undergoing epithelial‐mesenchymal interactions such as branching morphogenesis. It has been shown that TGF‐β1 protein is present in E 14 mouse submandibular glands at a time when branching is already establihsed. Here we demonstrate by RT‐PCR and immunofluorescence that both TGF‐β1 mRNA and protein are present in E 13 submandibular and sublingual glands at a time when branching is being initiated. Addition of TGF‐β1 to E 13 rudiments resulted in reductions in organ size and inhibition of branching. Sensitivity to TGF‐β1 depended on the developmental stage of the rudiments (early or late E 13) and the dose of growth factor used. TGF‐β1 Also caused epithelial abnormalities, notably treated organs had elongated ducts. The effects were most pronounced in the sublingual gland. Taken together these results suggest a regulatory role for endogenous TGF‐β1 in the growth and morphogenesis of mouse salivary glands.