β-catenin in Epithelial Morphogenesis: Conversion of Part of Avian Foot Scales into Feather Buds with a Mutated β-Catenin

Widelitz, Randall B.; Jiang, Ting‐Xin; Lu, Jian-Liang; Chuong, Cheng‐Ming

doi:10.1006/dbio.1999.9580

Cited by 144 publications

(159 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…[5][6][7][35][36][37] Recent work defines a role for ␤-catenin in stem cell differentiation into follicular keratinocytes. 37 Furthermore, ␤-catenin appears to be necessary in the development of skin and hair.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Role for the β-Catenin/T-Cell Factor Signaling Cascade in Vascular Remodeling

Wang

Yan

Mou

et al. 2002

Circulation Research

182

191

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Abstract-␤-Catenin and T cell factor (Tcf) are distal components of the highly conserved Wnt pathway that govern cell fate and proliferation in lower organisms. Thus, we hypothesized that the regulation of ␤-catenin and Tcf played a critical role in vascular remodeling. The first objective was to define ␤-catenin expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) after balloon injury. Indeed, ␤-catenin mRNA and protein were significantly elevated 7 days after balloon injury in the rat carotid artery. We hypothesized that ␤-catenin accumulation in response to vascular injury inhibited VSMC apoptosis. In line with our hypothesis, transfection of a degradation-resistant ␤-catenin transgene into rat VSMCs significantly inhibited apoptosis. Accumulation of ␤-catenin also resulted in a 10-fold increase in the activation of Tcf. To test if Tcf was necessary to confer ␤-catenin-induced survival, loss of function studies were carried out with a dominant negative Tcf-4 transgene lacking the ␤-catenin binding domain, Tcf4 (

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Role for the β-Catenin/T-Cell Factor Signaling Cascade in Vascular Remodeling

Wang

Yan

Mou

et al. 2002

Circulation Research

182

191

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“…Increased betacatenin expression in the scale primordia induced feathers to form from the leading edge of the scales ( Fig. 4A; Widelitz et al, 2000). Manipulating other pathways also led to an induction of feathers from scale forming regions.…”

Section: Molecular Conversion Of One Appendage Phenotype Into Anothermentioning

confidence: 92%

Adaptation to the sky: Defining the feather with integument fossils from mesozoic China and experimental evidence from molecular laboratories

Chuong

Zhang

et al. 2003

J Exp Zool Pt B

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In this special issue of Evo-Devo of the amniote integument, Alibardi has discussed the adaptation of the integument to the land. Here we will discuss the adaptation to the sky. We first review a series of fossil discoveries representing intermediate forms of feathers or feather-like appendages from dinosaurs and Mesozoic birds from the Jehol Biota of China. We then discuss results from the molecular and developmental biological experiments using chicken integument as the model. Feather forms can be modulated using retrovirus mediated gene mis-expression that mimics those found in nature today and in the evolutionary past. The molecular conversions among different types of integument appendages (feather, scale, tooth) are discussed. From these evidences, we recognize that not all organisms with feathers are birds, and that not all skin appendages with hierarchical branches are feathers. We develop a set of criteria for true avian feathers: 1) possessing actively proliferating cells in the proximal follicle for a proximo -distal growth mode; 2) forming hierarchical branches of rachis, barbs and barbules, with barbs shaped by differential cell death into either bilaterally or radially symmetric structures; 3) having a follicle structure, with a mesenchyme core during development; 4) maturing into a structure consisting of epithelia without a mesenchyme core with two sides of the vane facing the previous basal and supra-basal layer, respectively; and 5) having stem cells and dermal papilla in the follicle and hence the ability to molt and regenerate. A model of feather evolution from feather bud → barbs → barbules → rachis is presented, which is opposite to the old view of scale plate → rachis → barbs → barbules.

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“…Wnt-1, -3a, -5a, -7a, -11 and β-catenin were found to be expressed at moderate levels throughout the skin. 22,[41][42][43] Prior to morphological alterations, Wnt-1, -3a, -7a and β-catenin are expressed at a high level, restricted to the prospective feather placode epithelium, while Wnt-5a is elevated in the interplacodal epithelium. Wnt-11 becomes restricted in the interplacodal dermis.…”

Section: Feathersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It also caused feathers to grow at the leading edge of scales. 43 Exogenous Wnt-11 and the expression of a dominant negative Wnt-1 increased feather bud spacing, partially by making very thin feather buds. 22 Misexpression of Wnt-7a produced feather buds with a plateau shape, suggesting a dorsalization of the feather buds.…”

Section: Feathersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wnt signaling in skin organogenesis

Widelitz

2008

Organogenesis

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While serving as the interface between an organism and its environment, the skin also can elaborate a wide range of skin appendages to service specific purposes in a region-specific fashion. As in other organs, Wnt signaling plays a key role in regulating the proliferation, differentiation and motility of skin cells during their morphogenesis. Here I will review some of the recent work that has been done on skin organogenesis. I will cover dermis formation, the development of skin appendages, cycling of appendages in the adult, stem cell regulation, patterning, orientation, regional specificity and modulation by sex hormone nuclear receptors. I will also cover their roles in wound healing, hair regeneration and skin related diseases. It appears that Wnt signaling plays essential but distinct roles in different hierarchical levels of morphogenesis and organogenesis. Many of these areas have not yet been fully explored but are certainly promising areas of future research.The integument forms the interface between an organism and its environment. 1,2 As such it protects against dehydration, infection, temperature extremes, etc while providing a means for display, camouflage and other functions. 3 The skin can elaborate remarkable structural diversity producing specialized functions in a region-specific fashion to provide organisms with a selective advantage. For example, the development of feathers led to the acquisition of flight in birds and the formation of mammary glands enabled mammals to nurse their young. 4 The advantage of these evolutionary developments can be seen by the number of birds and mammals present today.Skin appendages, such as skin, hairs, feathers, scales, glands and teeth grow from the epithelium as a result of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, 5 largely in response to common molecular signals with slight variations in their placement and timing during tissue morphogenesis. 6 Theoretically, stem cells are totipotent and progressively can be guided toward their specific fates by exposure to specific regulatory signals. The juxtaposition of molecular signals or lack thereof may have a tremendous impact on cell fate decisions. Hence, the difference between skin appendages is due to the topological arrangement of the epithelia during developmental processes. These are presumably regulated by adhesion molecules whose expression is controlled by signaling molecules as well as by physical constraints.Hairs and feathers are attractive model systems for experimental research because of their ability for seasonal or periodic renewal. Obviously not all hairs or feathers are replaced at one time or birds would lose all of their feathers at once and fall from the sky in midflight; rather hairs and feathers are replaced over a period of time in a wave-like pattern. 7 Yet this cycling behavior enables thousands of entirely new organs to be regenerated again and again throughout these animal's lives. Hairs and feathers demonstrate an incredible diversity of forms arising in different locations over the bod...

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β-catenin in Epithelial Morphogenesis: Conversion of Part of Avian Foot Scales into Feather Buds with a Mutated β-Catenin

Cited by 144 publications

References 65 publications

A Role for the β-Catenin/T-Cell Factor Signaling Cascade in Vascular Remodeling

A Role for the β-Catenin/T-Cell Factor Signaling Cascade in Vascular Remodeling

Adaptation to the sky: Defining the feather with integument fossils from mesozoic China and experimental evidence from molecular laboratories

Wnt signaling in skin organogenesis

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