Convergent flow-mediated mesenchymal force drives embryonic foregut constriction and splitting.

ABSTRACT: The transformation of a two-dimensional epithelial sheet into various three-dimensional structures is a critical process in generating the diversity of animal forms. Previous studies of epithelial folding have revealed diverse mechanisms driven by epithelium-intrinsic or -extrinsic forces. Yet little is known about the biomechanical basis of epithelial splitting, which involves extreme folding and eventually a topological transition breaking the epithelial tube. Here, we leverage tracheal-esophageal separation (TES), a critical and highly conserved morphogenetic event during tetrapod embryogenesis, as a model system for interrogating epithelial tube splitting. We identify an evolutionarily conserved, compressive force exerted by the mesenchyme surrounding the epithelium, as being necessary

SUBMITTER: Yan R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12660939 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature