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Parasympathetic innervation maintains epithelial progenitor cells during salivary organogenesis.

Authors :
Knox SM
Lombaert IM
Reed X
Vitale-Cross L
Gutkind JS
Hoffman MP
Source :
Science (New York, N.Y.) [Science] 2010 Sep 24; Vol. 329 (5999), pp. 1645-7.
Publication Year :
2010

Abstract

The maintenance of a progenitor cell population as a reservoir of undifferentiated cells is required for organ development and regeneration. However, the mechanisms by which epithelial progenitor cells are maintained during organogenesis are poorly understood. We report that removal of the parasympathetic ganglion in mouse explant organ culture decreased the number and morphogenesis of keratin 5-positive epithelial progenitor cells. These effects were rescued with an acetylcholine analog. We demonstrate that acetylcholine signaling, via the muscarinic M1 receptor and epidermal growth factor receptor, increased epithelial morphogenesis and proliferation of the keratin 5-positive progenitor cells. Parasympathetic innervation maintained the epithelial progenitor cell population in an undifferentiated state, which was required for organogenesis. This mechanism for epithelial progenitor cell maintenance may be targeted for organ repair or regeneration.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1095-9203
Volume :
329
Issue :
5999
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Science (New York, N.Y.)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
20929848
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1192046