The roles of epithelial–mesenchymal cell interactions in developmental processes

Abstract

This review surveys some recent trends in the study of the developmental interactions between epithelial and mesenchymal cells. The influence of such interactions on cell differentiation is considered with reference to kidney development, limb bud development, chondrogenesis and osteogenesis, and tooth development. Effects on epithelial morphogenesis are discussed, using salivary gland development as an example. The roles of humoral factors (hormones or growth factors) are considered, and the evidence for the participation of cell adhesion molecules is examined.