Retinoic acid signaling maintains epithelial and mesenchymal progenitors in the developing mouse ureter.

ABSTRACT: The differentiated cell types of the mature ureter arise from the distal ureteric bud epithelium and its surrounding mesenchyme. Uncommitted epithelial cells first become intermediate cells from which both basal and superficial cells develop. Mesenchymal progenitors give rise to separated layers of adventitial fibrocytes, smooth muscle cells and lamina propria fibrocytes. How progenitor expansion and differentiation are balanced is poorly understood. Here, we addressed the role of retinoic acid (RA) signaling in these programs. Using expression analysis of components and target genes, we show that pathway activity is restricted to the mesenchymal and epithelial progenitor pools. Inhibition of RA signaling in ureter explant cultures resulted in tissue hypoplasia with a relative expansion of

SUBMITTER: Bohnenpoll T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5665985 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature