About this Research Topic
Structural organization of organs is defined by the formation of epithelium, which provides a barrier against extra tissular environment while allowing the free exchange of metabolites, waste products, secretion products and signaling molecules. Epithelia are formed during embryonic development and require a constant cell supply for homeostatic maintenance and regeneration. This raises the question of how such structures are formed, how they are maintained, and how they repair to keep their physiology intact.
During development, organs are formed by the reciprocal interaction between the epithelium with the surrounding microenvironment (mesenchyme, nerves, blood vessels, extracellular matrix and signaling molecules). These interactions provide the right instructions for the epithelium to follow an orchestrated number of morphogenetic events such as branching, invagination, apical constriction and clefting, all of which determine the shape and therefore the function of the organ.
After organogenesis, homoeostasis is maintained by a series of processes that prevent tissue decay due to spontaneous (programmed) cell-loss and extrinsic injuries. These processes include stem-cell renewal, differentiation and cellular-reprogramming, central to preserving organ physiology and health.
Therefore, developing and regenerating tissues face a unique key challenge: producing new epithelial cells while maintaining the structural and functional organization of the tissue. Given this similarity, is relevant to define to what extent are the dynamics of morphogenetic processes and pathways implicated in tissue maintenance and regeneration.
To answer this question, this Research Topic aims to review themes related to the role of the epithelium during organ development and regeneration, such as:
• Developmental biology & anatomy of epithelial organs
• Epithelial cell dynamics, lineage and stem cell biology
• Biophysics and morphogenesis of the epithelium
• Organ homeostatic regeneration after injury and/or wound healing
• Functional organ regeneration and/or pathological implications
• Organoid technology
• Extracellular matrix during development and regeneration of epithelial organs
Please note that we welcome papers related to development and/or regeneration of epithelium.
Examples of organs include but are not limited to: lung, intestine, liver, pancreas, kidney, tooth, skin, salivary gland.
The Guest Editors of this collection would like to encourage all interested contributors to submit an abstract before submitting their manuscript. Abstract submission deadline: 31 July 2021.
During development, organs are formed by the reciprocal interaction between the epithelium with the surrounding microenvironment (mesenchyme, nerves, blood vessels, extracellular matrix and signaling molecules). These interactions provide the right instructions for the epithelium to follow an orchestrated number of morphogenetic events such as branching, invagination, apical constriction and clefting, all of which determine the shape and therefore the function of the organ.
After organogenesis, homoeostasis is maintained by a series of processes that prevent tissue decay due to spontaneous (programmed) cell-loss and extrinsic injuries. These processes include stem-cell renewal, differentiation and cellular-reprogramming, central to preserving organ physiology and health.
Therefore, developing and regenerating tissues face a unique key challenge: producing new epithelial cells while maintaining the structural and functional organization of the tissue. Given this similarity, is relevant to define to what extent are the dynamics of morphogenetic processes and pathways implicated in tissue maintenance and regeneration.
To answer this question, this Research Topic aims to review themes related to the role of the epithelium during organ development and regeneration, such as:
• Developmental biology & anatomy of epithelial organs
• Epithelial cell dynamics, lineage and stem cell biology
• Biophysics and morphogenesis of the epithelium
• Organ homeostatic regeneration after injury and/or wound healing
• Functional organ regeneration and/or pathological implications
• Organoid technology
• Extracellular matrix during development and regeneration of epithelial organs
Please note that we welcome papers related to development and/or regeneration of epithelium.
Examples of organs include but are not limited to: lung, intestine, liver, pancreas, kidney, tooth, skin, salivary gland.
The Guest Editors of this collection would like to encourage all interested contributors to submit an abstract before submitting their manuscript. Abstract submission deadline: 31 July 2021.
Keywords: Epithelium, Development, Regeneration, Stem cells, Morphogenesis
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
