The Control of Lung Branching Morphogenesis

TL;DR

This review discusses the developmental mechanisms and models underlying early lung branching morphogenesis, highlighting the roles of epithelial budding, tube elongation, and mesenchymal influence on organ shape.

Contribution

It synthesizes current models and experimental evidence for lung branching stages and explores mesenchymal contributions to organ-specific morphology.

Findings

Recurrent branch point formation is key to lung development.

Epithelial budding and tube elongation are regulated by specific signaling pathways.

Mesenchyme influences the shape and structure of the developing lung.

Abstract

Branching morphogenesis generates epithelial trees which facilitate gas exchange, filtering, as well as secretion processes with their large surface to volume ratio. In this review, we focus on the developmental mechanisms that control the early stages of lung branching morphogenesis. Lung branching morphogenesis involves the stereotypic, recurrent definition of new branch points, subsequent epithelial budding, and lung tube elongation. We discuss current models and experimental evidence for each of these steps. Finally, we discuss the role of the mesenchyme in determining the organ-specific shape.