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Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a central mechanism for diversifying the cells found in complex tissues. This dynamic process helps organize the formation of the body plan, and while EMT is well studied in the context of embryonic development, it also plays a role in the genesis of fibroblasts during organ fibrosis in adult tissues. Emerging evidence from studies of renal fibrosis suggests that more than a third of all disease-related fibroblasts originate from tubular epithelia at the site of injury. This review highlights recent advances in the process of EMT signaling in health and disease and how it may be attenuated or reversed by selective cytokines and growth factors.
Authors
Raghu Kalluri, Eric G. Neilson
Figure 1
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Primitive epithelia (epiblasts) form tropoblastic germ layers through EMT. The primary mesenchyme that migrates after EMT is reinduced to secondary epithelium by mesenchymal-epithelial transition. Secondary epithelia differentiate to form new epithelial tissues and undergo a second round of EMT to form the cells of connective tissue, including astrocytes, adipocytes chondrocytes, osteoblasts, muscle cells, and fibroblasts. Mature secondary epithelia that form epithelial organs can also transform into primary tumors that later undergo EMT to metastasize. These processes are regulated by morphogenic cues and a variety of transcription factors, and are potentially plastic in their adaptation to new biologic circumstances.
Copyright © 2022 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)