Interactions between lens epithelial and fiber cells reveal an intrinsic self-assembly mechanism.

ABSTRACT: How tissues and organs develop and maintain their characteristic three-dimensional cellular architecture is often a poorly understood part of their developmental program; yet, as is clearly the case for the eye lens, precise regulation of these features can be critical for function. During lens morphogenesis cells become organized into a polarized, spheroidal structure with a monolayer of epithelial cells overlying the apical tips of elongated fiber cells. Epithelial cells proliferate and progeny that shift below the lens equator differentiate into new fibers that are progressively added to the fiber mass. It is now known that FGF induces epithelial to fiber differentiation; however, it is not fully understood how these two forms of cells assemble into their characteristic polarized arrang

SUBMITTER: Dawes LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3947272 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature