A unique form of collective epithelial migration is crucial for tissue fusion in the secondary palate and can overcome loss of epithelial apoptosis.

ABSTRACT: Tissue fusion frequently requires the removal of an epithelium that intervenes distinct primordia to form one continuous structure. In the mammalian secondary palate, a midline epithelial seam (MES) forms between two palatal shelves and must be removed to allow mesenchymal confluence. Abundant apoptosis and cell extrusion support their importance in MES removal. However, genetically disrupting the intrinsic apoptotic regulators BAX and BAK within the MES results in complete loss of cell death and cell extrusion, but successful removal of the MES. Novel static- and live-imaging approaches reveal that the MES is removed through streaming migration of epithelial trails and islands to reach the oral and nasal epithelial surfaces. Epithelial trail cells that express the basal epithelial marker

SUBMITTER: Teng T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9188751 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature