scholarly journals The Lung Vasculature: A Driver or Passenger in Lung Branching Morphogenesis?

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yelda Pakize Kina ◽  
Ali Khadim ◽  
Werner Seeger ◽  
Elie El Agha
Keyword(s):  
Lung Development ◽  
Branching Morphogenesis ◽  
Mouse Lung ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Airway Epithelial ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Rate Limiting Step ◽  
Airway Tree ◽  
Rate Limiting ◽  
Airway Branching

Multiple cellular, biochemical, and physical factors converge to coordinate organogenesis. During embryonic development, several organs such as the lung, salivary glands, mammary glands, and kidneys undergo rapid, but intricate, iterative branching. This biological process not only determines the overall architecture, size and shape of such organs but is also a pre-requisite for optimal organ function. The lung, in particular, relies on a vast surface area to carry out efficient gas exchange, and it is logical to suggest that airway branching during lung development represents a rate-limiting step in this context. Against this background, the vascular network develops in parallel to the airway tree and reciprocal interaction between these two compartments is critical for their patterning, branching, and co-alignment. In this mini review, we present an overview of the branching process in the developing mouse lung and discuss whether the vasculature plays a leading role in the process of airway epithelial branching.

Abrogation of mesenchyme-specific TGF-β signaling results in lung malformation with prenatal pulmonary cysts in mice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Miao ◽  
Hui Chen ◽  
Yongfeng Luo ◽  
Joanne Chiu ◽  
Ling Chu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Development ◽  
Muscle Growth ◽  
Branching Morphogenesis ◽  
Mouse Lung ◽  
Cystic Lesions ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial ◽  
Pulmonary Cysts ◽  
Β Receptor ◽  
Airway Branching

The TGF-β signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in controlling organogenesis during fetal development. Although the role of TGF-β signaling in promoting lung alveolar epithelial growth has been determined, mesenchymal TGF-β signaling in regulating lung development has not been studied in vivo due to a lack of genetic tools for specifically manipulating gene expression in lung mesenchymal cells. Therefore, the integral roles of TGF-β signaling in regulating lung development and congenital lung diseases are not completely understood. Using a Tbx4 lung enhancer-driven Tet-On inducible Cre transgenic mouse system, we have developed a mouse model in which lung mesenchyme-specific deletion of TGF-β receptor 2 gene (Tgfbr2) is achieved. Reduced airway branching accompanied by defective airway smooth muscle growth and later peripheral cystic lesions occurred when lung mesenchymal Tgfbr2 was deleted from embryonic day 13.5 to 15.5, resulting in postnatal death due to respiratory insufficiency. Although cell proliferation in both lung epithelium and mesenchyme was reduced, epithelial differentiation was not significantly affected. Tgfbr2 downstream Smad-independent ERK1/2 may mediate these mesenchymal effects of TGF-β signaling through the GSK3β--β-catenin--Wnt canonical pathway in fetal mouse lung. Our study suggests that Tgfbr2-mediated TGF-β signaling in prenatal lung mesenchyme is essential for lung development and maturation, and defective TGF-β signaling in lung mesenchyme may be related to abnormal airway branching morphogenesis and congenital airway cystic lesions.

Regulation of retinoic acid signaling during lung morphogenesis

Development ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 127 (14) ◽  
pp. 3057-3067 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Malpel ◽  
C. Mendelsohn ◽  
W.V. Cardoso
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Lung Development ◽  
Branching Morphogenesis ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Signaling Center ◽  
Distal Lung ◽  
Immature Lung ◽  
Airway Branching ◽  
Correct Expression

Little is known about how retinoic acid (RA) synthesis, utilization and metabolism are regulated in the embryonic lung and how these activities relate to lung pattern formation. Here we report that early lung bud formation and subsequent branching morphogenesis are characterized by distinct stages of RA signaling. At the onset of lung development RA signaling is ubiquitously activated in primary buds, as shown by expression of the major RA-synthesizing enzyme, RALDH-2 and activation of a RARE-lacZ transgene. Nevertheless, further airway branching appears to require downregulation of RA pathways by decreased synthesis, increased RA degradation in the epithelium via P450RAI-mediated metabolism, and inhibition of RA signaling in the mesenchyme by COUPTF-II expression. These mechanisms controlling local RA signaling may be critical for normal branching, since we show that manipulating RA levels in vitro to maintain RA signaling activated as in the initial stage, leads to an immature lung phenotype characterized by failure to form typical distal buds. We show that this phenotype likely results from RA interfering with the establishment of a distal signaling center, altering levels and distribution of Fgf10 and Bmp4, genes that are essential for distal lung formation. Furthermore, RA upregulates P450RAI expression, suggesting the presence of feedback mechanisms controlling RA availability. Our study illustrates the importance of regional mechanisms that control RA availability and utilization for correct expression of pattern regulators and normal morphogenesis during lung development.

Fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10) and branching morphogenesis in the embryonic mouse lung

Development ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 124 (23) ◽  
pp. 4867-4878 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Bellusci ◽  
J. Grindley ◽  
H. Emoto ◽  
N. Itoh ◽  
B.L. Hogan
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Fibroblast Growth Factor ◽  
Lung Development ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Branching Morphogenesis ◽  
Mouse Lung ◽  
Fibroblast Growth ◽  
Embryonic Mouse ◽  
Fibroblast Growth Factor 10

During mouse lung morphogenesis, the distal mesenchyme regulates the growth and branching of adjacent endoderm. We report here that fibroblast growth factor 10 (Fgf10) is expressed dynamically in the mesenchyme adjacent to the distal buds from the earliest stages of lung development. The temporal and spatial pattern of gene expression suggests that Fgf10 plays a role in directional outgrowth and possibly induction of epithelial buds, and that positive and negative regulators of Fgf10 are produced by the endoderm. In transgenic lungs overexpressing Shh in the endoderm, Fgf10 transcription is reduced, suggesting that high levels of SHH downregulate Fgf10. Addition of FGF10 to embryonic day 11.5 lung tissue (endoderm plus mesenchyme) in Matrigel or collagen gel culture elicits a cyst-like expansion of the endoderm after 24 hours. In Matrigel, but not collagen, this is followed by extensive budding after 48–60 hours. This response involves an increase in the rate of endodermal cell proliferation. The activity of FGF1, FGF7 and FGF10 was also tested directly on isolated endoderm in Matrigel culture. Under these conditions, FGF1 elicits immediate endodermal budding, while FGF7 and FGF10 initially induce expansion of the endoderm. However, within 24 hours, samples treated with FGF10 give rise to multiple buds, while FGF7-treated endoderm never progresses to bud formation, at all concentrations of factor tested. Although exogenous FGF1, FGF7 and FGF10 have overlapping activities in vitro, their in vivo expression patterns are quite distinct in relation to early branching events. We conclude that, during early lung development, localized sources of FGF10 in the mesoderm regulate endoderm proliferation and bud outgrowth.

scholarly journals Targeted Disruption of Mouse Dip2B Leads to Abnormal Lung Development and Prenatal Lethality

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 8223
Author(s):  
Rajiv Kumar Sah ◽  
Jun Ma ◽  
Fatoumata Binta Bah ◽  
Zhenkai Xing ◽  
Salah Adlat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Development ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Branching Morphogenesis ◽  
Brdu Incorporation ◽  
Mouse Lung ◽  
Alveolar Type ◽  
Type I ◽  
Lung Maturation ◽  
M Phase

Molecular and anatomical functions of mammalian Dip2 family members (Dip2A, Dip2B and Dip2C) during organogenesis are largely unknown. Here, we explored the indispensable role of Dip2B in mouse lung development. Using a LacZ reporter, we explored Dip2B expression during embryogenesis. This study shows that Dip2B expression is widely distributed in various neuronal, myocardial, endothelial, and epithelial cell types during embryogenesis. Target disruption of Dip2b leads to intrauterine growth restriction, defective lung formation and perinatal mortality. Dip2B is crucial for late lung maturation rather than early-branching morphogenesis. The morphological analysis shows that Dip2b loss leads to disrupted air sac formation, interstitium septation and increased cellularity. In BrdU incorporation assay, it is shown that Dip2b loss results in increased cell proliferation at the saccular stage of lung development. RNA-seq analysis reveals that 1431 genes are affected in Dip2b deficient lungs at E18.5 gestation age. Gene ontology analysis indicates cell cycle-related genes are upregulated and immune system related genes are downregulated. KEGG analysis identifies oxidative phosphorylation as the most overrepresented pathways along with the G2/M phase transition pathway. Loss of Dip2b de-represses the expression of alveolar type I and type II molecular markers. Altogether, the study demonstrates an important role of Dip2B in lung maturation and survival.

Effect of chemical stabilizers of hypoxia-inducible factors on early lung development

2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (3) ◽  
pp. L557-L567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Freek A. Groenman ◽  
Martin Rutter ◽  
Jinxia Wang ◽  
Isabella Caniggia ◽  
Dick Tibboel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Development ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Iron Chelator ◽  
Branching Morphogenesis ◽  
Vegf Receptor ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Prolyl Hydroxylases ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Terminal Buds ◽  
Airway Branching

Low oxygen stimulates pulmonary vascular development and airway branching and involves hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). HIF is stable and initiates expression of angiogenic factors under hypoxia, whereas normoxia triggers hydroxylation of the HIF-1α subunit by prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) and subsequent degradation. Herein, we investigated whether chemical stabilization of HIF-1α under normoxic (20% O2) conditions would stimulate vascular growth and branching morphogenesis in early lung explants. Tie2-LacZ (endothelial LacZ marker) mice were used for visualization of the vasculature. Embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5) lung buds were dissected and cultured in 20% O2 in the absence or presence of cobalt chloride (CoCl2, a hypoxia mimetic), dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG; a nonspecific inhibitor of PHDs), or desferrioxamine (DFO; an iron chelator). Vascularization was assessed by X-gal staining, and terminal buds were counted. The fine vascular network surrounding the developing lung buds seen in control explants disappeared in CoCl2- and DFO-treated explants. Also, epithelial branching was reduced in the explants treated with CoCl2 and DFO. In contrast, DMOG inhibited branching but stimulated vascularization. Both DFO and DMOG increased nuclear HIF-1α protein levels, whereas CoCl2 had no effect. Since HIF-1α induces VEGF expression, the effect of SU-5416, a potent VEGF receptor (VEGFR) blocker, on early lung development was also investigated. Inhibition of VEGFR2 signaling in explants maintained under hypoxic (2% O2) conditions completely abolished vascularization and slightly decreased epithelial branching. Taken together, the data suggest that DMOG stabilization of HIF-1α during early development leads to a hypervascular lung and that airway branching proceeds without the vasculature, albeit at a slower rate.

scholarly journals Defective parasympathetic innervation is associated with airway branching abnormalities in experimental CDH

2015 ◽  
Vol 309 (2) ◽  
pp. L168-L174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Rhodes ◽  
Deeksha Saxena ◽  
GuangFeng Zhang ◽  
George K. Gittes ◽  
Douglas A. Potoka
Keyword(s):  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Lung Development ◽  
Lung Hypoplasia ◽  
Airway Epithelial ◽  
Parasympathetic Innervation ◽  
Distal Airway ◽  
Explant Cultures ◽  
Epithelial Progenitor Cells ◽  
Airway Branching

Developmental mechanisms leading to lung hypoplasia in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) remain poorly defined. Pulmonary innervation is defective in the human disease and in the rodent models of CDH. We hypothesize that defective parasympathetic innervation may contribute to airway branching abnormalities and, therefore, lung hypoplasia, during lung development in CDH. The murine nitrofen model of CDH was utilized to study the effect of the cholinergic agonist carbachol on embryonic day 11.5 ( E11.5) lung explant cultures. Airway branching and contractions were quantified. In a subset of experiments, verapamil was added to inhibit airway contractions. Sox9 immunostaining and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine incorporation were used to identify and quantify the number and proliferation of distal airway epithelial progenitor cells. Intra-amniotic injections were used to determine the in vivo effect of carbachol. Airway branching and airway contractions were significantly decreased in nitrofen-treated lungs compared with controls. Carbachol resulted in increased airway contractions and branching in nitrofen-treated lungs. Nitrofen-treated lungs exhibited an increased number of proliferating Sox9-positive distal epithelial progenitor cells, which were decreased and normalized by treatment with carbachol. Verapamil inhibited the carbachol-induced airway contractions in nitrofen-treated lungs but had no effect on the carbachol-induced increase in airway branching, suggesting a direct carbachol effect independent of airway contractions. In vivo treatment of nitrofen-treated embryos via amniotic injection of carbachol at E10.5 resulted in modest increases in lung size and branching at E17.5. These results suggest that defective parasympathetic innervation may contribute to airway branching abnormalities in CDH.

scholarly journals Human lung branching morphogenesis is orchestrated by the spatiotemporal distribution of ACTA2, SOX2, and SOX9

2018 ◽  
Vol 314 (1) ◽  
pp. L144-L149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soula Danopoulos ◽  
Irving Alonso ◽  
Matthew E. Thornton ◽  
Brendan H. Grubbs ◽  
Saverio Bellusci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Development ◽  
Progenitor Cell ◽  
Human Lung ◽  
Branching Morphogenesis ◽  
Mouse Lung ◽  
Double Positive ◽  
Progenitor Cell Population ◽  
Positive Population ◽  
Pseudoglandular Stage ◽  
Lung Branching

Lung morphogenesis relies on a number of important processes, including proximal-distal patterning, cell proliferation, migration and differentiation, as well as epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. In mouse lung development, SOX2+ cells are localized in the proximal epithelium, whereas SOX9+ cells are present in the distal epithelium. We show that, in human lung, expression of these transcription factors differs, in that during the pseudoglandular stage distal epithelial progenitors at the tips coexpress SOX2 and SOX9. This double-positive population was no longer present by the canalicular stages of development. As in mouse, the human proximal epithelial progenitors express solely SOX2 and are surrounded by smooth muscle cells (SMCs) both in the proximal airways and at the epithelial clefts. Upon Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 inhibition, we noted decreased branching, as well as increased SMC differentiation, attenuated peristalsis, and a reduction in the distal double-positive SOX2/SOX9 progenitor cell population. Thus, the presence of SOX2/SOX9 double-positive progenitor cells in the distal epithelium during the pseudoglandular stage of human lung development appears to be critical to proximal-distal patterning and lung branching. Moreover, SMCs promote a SOX2 proximal phenotype and seem to suppress the SOX9+ population.

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