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Cell-cell interactions during remodeling of the intestine at metamorphosis in Xenopus laevis
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Cell-cell interactions during remodeling of the intestine at metamorphosis in Xenopus laevis

Alexander M. Schreiber, Sandeep Mukhi and Donald D. Brown
Developmental biology, Vol.331(1), pp.89-98
07/01/2009
DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2009.04.033
PMCID: PMC2712884
PMID: 19409886
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2009.04.033View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Amphibian metamorphosis is accompanied by extensive intestinal remodeling. This process, mediated by thyroid hormone (TH) and its nuclear receptors, affects every cell type. Gut remodeling in Xenopus laevis involves epithelial and mesenchymal proliferation, smooth muscle thickening, neuronal aggregation, formation of intestinal folds, and shortening of its length by 75%. Transgenic tadpoles expressing a dominant negative TH receptor (TRDN) controlled by epithelial-, fibroblast-, and muscle-specific gene promoters were studied. TRDN expression in the epithelium Caused abnormal development of virtually all cell types, with froglet guts displaying reduced intestinal folds, thin Muscle and mesenchyme, absence of neurons, and reduced cell proliferation. TRDN expression in fibroblasts caused abnormal epithelia and mesenchyme development, and expression in muscle produced fewer enteric neurons and a reduced inter-muscular space. Gut shortening was inhibited only when TRDN was expressed in fibroblasts. Gut remodeling results from both cell-autonomous and cell-cell interactions. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Developmental Biology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Science & Technology

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