PDGF-A signaling is required for secondary alveolar septation and controls epithelial proliferation in the developing lung

L Gouveia, C Betsholtz, J Andrae - Development, 2018 - journals.biologists.com
Development, 2018journals.biologists.com
Platelet-derived growth factor A (PDGF-A) signaling through PDGF receptor α is essential for
alveogenesis. Previous studies have shown that Pdgfa−/− mouse lungs have enlarged
alveolar airspace with absence of secondary septation, both distinctive features of
bronchopulmonary dysplasia. To study how PDGF-A signaling is involved in alveogenesis,
we generated lung-specific Pdgfa knockout mice (Pdgfafl/−; Spc-cre) and characterized their
phenotype postnatally. Histological differences between mutant mice and littermate controls …
Abstract
Platelet-derived growth factor A (PDGF-A) signaling through PDGF receptor α is essential for alveogenesis. Previous studies have shown that Pdgfa−/− mouse lungs have enlarged alveolar airspace with absence of secondary septation, both distinctive features of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. To study how PDGF-A signaling is involved in alveogenesis, we generated lung-specific Pdgfa knockout mice (Pdgfafl/−; Spc-cre) and characterized their phenotype postnatally. Histological differences between mutant mice and littermate controls were visible after the onset of alveogenesis and maintained until adulthood. Additionally, we generated Pdgfafl/−; Spc-cre; PdgfraGFP/+ mice in which Pdgfra+ cells exhibit nuclear GFP expression. In the absence of PDGF-A, the number of PdgfraGFP+ cells was significantly decreased. In addition, proliferation of PdgfraGFP+ cells was reduced. During alveogenesis, PdgfraGFP+ myofibroblasts failed to form the α-smooth muscle actin rings necessary for alveolar secondary septation. These results indicate that PDGF-A signaling is involved in myofibroblast proliferation and migration. In addition, we show an increase in both the number and proliferation of alveolar type II cells in Pdgfafl/−; Spc-cre lungs, suggesting that the increased alveolar airspace is not caused solely by deficient myofibroblast function.
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