Wnt5a-Vangl1/2 signaling regulates the position and direction of lung branching through the cytoskeleton and focal adhesions.

ABSTRACT: Lung branching morphogenesis requires reciprocal interactions between the epithelium and mesenchyme. How the lung branches are generated at a defined location and projected toward a specific direction remains a major unresolved issue. In this study, we investigated the function of Wnt signaling in lung branching in mice. We discovered that Wnt5a in both the epithelium and the mesenchyme plays an essential role in controlling the position and direction of lung branching. The Wnt5a signal is mediated by Vangl1/2 to trigger a cascade of noncanonical or planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling. In response to noncanonical Wnt signaling, lung cells undergo cytoskeletal reorganization and change focal adhesions. Perturbed focal adhesions in lung explants are associated with defective branching. More

SUBMITTER: Zhang K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9469998 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature