Patterns & Phenotypes

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Slit and robo expression in the developing mouse lung

  1. James M. Greenberg*,
  2. Felisa Y. Thompson,
  3. Sherry K. Brooks,
  4. John M. Shannon,
  5. Ann L. Akeson

Article first published online: 22 APR 2004

DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.20045

Issue

Developmental Dynamics

Developmental Dynamics

Volume 230, Issue 2, pages 350–360, June 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

Greenberg, J. M., Thompson, F. Y., Brooks, S. K., Shannon, J. M. and Akeson, A. L. (2004), Slit and robo expression in the developing mouse lung. Developmental Dynamics, 230: 350–360. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.20045

Author Information

  1. Divisions of Pulmonary Biology and Neonatology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio

*Divisions of Pulmonary Biology and Neonatology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, MLC 7009, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 12 MAY 2004
  2. Article first published online: 22 APR 2004
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 5 JAN 2004
  4. Manuscript Revised: 19 DEC 2003
  5. Manuscript Received: 4 APR 2003

Funded by

  • March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. Grant Numbers: 6-FY01-50, 19-FY02-234

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Keywords:

  • lung development;
  • mesenchyme;
  • axon guidance;
  • airway;
  • Slit;
  • Roundabout;
  • Cadherin-11;
  • in situ hybridization;
  • immunohistochemistry

Abstract

Mammalian lung development is mediated through complex interactions between foregut endoderm and surrounding mesenchyme. As airway branching progresses, the mesenchyme undergoes dramatic remodeling and differentiation. Little is understood about the mechanisms that direct mesenchymal organization during lung development. A screen for candidate genes mediating this process identified Slit, a ligand for the Roundabout (Robo) receptor previously associated with guidance of axonal projections during central nervous system development. Here, we demonstrate by in situ hybridization that two Slit genes (Slit-2 and Slit-3) and two Robo genes (Robo-1 and Robo-2) are expressed in fetal lung mesenchyme. Slit-2 and Robo-1 expression is present throughout mesenchyme at midgestation and is not detectable by newborn day 1. Slit-3 and Robo-2 expression is restricted to specific, complementary subsets of mesenchyme. Robo-2 is expressed in mesenchymal cells immediately adjacent to large airways, whereas Slit-3 expression predominates in mesenchyme remote from airway epithelium. The temporal and spatial distribution of Slit and Robo mRNAs indicate that these genes may direct the functional organization and differentiation of fetal lung mesenchyme. Developmental Dynamics 230:350–360, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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