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Contraction of basal filopodia controls periodic feather branching via Notch and FGF signaling

Author

Listed:
  • Dongyang Cheng

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Xiaoli Yan

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Guofu Qiu

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Juan Zhang

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Hanwei Wang

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Tingting Feng

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Yarong Tian

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Haiping Xu

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Meiqing Wang

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Wanzhong He

    (National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS))

  • Ping Wu

    (University of Southern California)

  • Randall B Widelitz

    (University of Southern California)

  • Cheng-Ming Chuong

    (University of Southern California)

  • Zhicao Yue

    (Fuzhou University)

Abstract

Branching morphogenesis is a general mechanism that increases the surface area of an organ. In chicken feathers, the flat epithelial sheath at the base of the follicle is transformed into periodic branches. How exactly the keratinocytes are organized into this pattern remains unclear. Here we show that in the feather follicle, the pre-branch basal keratinocytes have extensive filopodia, which contract and smooth out after branching. Manipulating the filopodia via small GTPases RhoA/Cdc42 also regulates branch formation. These basal filopodia help interpret the proximal-distal FGF gradient in the follicle. Furthermore, the topological arrangement of cell adhesion via E-Cadherin re-distribution controls the branching process. Periodic activation of Notch signaling drives the differential cell adhesion and contraction of basal filopodia, which occurs only below an FGF signaling threshold. Our results suggest a coordinated adjustment of cell shape and adhesion orchestrates feather branching, which is regulated by Notch and FGF signaling.

Suggested Citation

  • Dongyang Cheng & Xiaoli Yan & Guofu Qiu & Juan Zhang & Hanwei Wang & Tingting Feng & Yarong Tian & Haiping Xu & Meiqing Wang & Wanzhong He & Ping Wu & Randall B Widelitz & Cheng-Ming Chuong & Zhicao Y, 2018. "Contraction of basal filopodia controls periodic feather branching via Notch and FGF signaling," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-03801-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03801-z
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