Cell Signaling and Growth Factors in Development is the first handbook structured according to organ systems to cover both embryogenesis and organ development.

Features:

• Addresses the functions of developmental signaling pathways and growth factors
• Focuses on cell division, cell migration, and cell differentiation
• Highlights developmental disorders and related novel therapeutic strategies

Contents

Stem Cells

• Maintenance of Stemness in Balance with Stem Cell Differentiation
• The Notch Signaling Pathway
• Signaling Pathway of the TGFb Family Members
• Shh Signaling

Germ Cells

• Primordial Germ Cells
• Oocytes
• Male Germ Cells

Implantation and Placentation

• Molecular Mechanisms and Biological Effects
• Clinical Relevance in Humans

Cell Movements during Early Vertebrate Morphogenesis

• History: Classic Experiments in the Study of Gastrulation
• Gastrulation and Neurulation in Different Vertebrate Species
• Mechanistic Aspects, Molecules and Molecular Networks

Head Induction

• Classical Concepts for Head Induction
• Tissues Involved in Anterior Specification
• Signaling Pathways Involved in Anterior Specification
• Mechanistic Models for Head Induction
• Transcriptional Regulators in Anterior Specification

Anterior-Posterior Patterning of the Hindbrain: Integrating Boundaries and Cell Segregation with Segment Formation and Identity

• Hindbrain Development

Neurogenesis in the Central Nervous System

• Intrinsic Regulation of Neurogenesis
• Extrinsic Regulation of Neurogenesis
• Cell Cycle Regulation and Neuronal Fate Determination
• Neuron-generating Asymmetric Cell Division

Generating Cell Diversity

• Establishing Early Compartments of the Embryo
• Early Neurogenesis in the Neural Plate
• Determination of Neuronal Identities in the Spinal Cord

The Molecular Basis of Directional Cell Migration

• How and What Moves Cells
• The Cytoskeleton
• Motile Membrane Extensions containing Microfilaments
• Modulation of the Structure of Transient Protusive Membrane Extensions
• Formation of Substratum Contacts
• Cell Body Traction
• Rear Detachment
• The Role of Microtubules in Cell Migration
• The Role of Intermediate Filaments in Cell Migration
• Modulation of the Cytoskeletal Organization by External Signals
• The Cytoskeletal Organization of Neuronal Growth Cones

Cell Death in Organ Development

• Programmed Cell Death
• Genetics of Programmed Cell Death
• Cell Death Receptors
• Growth Factor Deprivation
• Programmed Cell Death in Developing Organs

Dorso-Ventral Patterning of the Vertebrate Central Nervous System

• Generating Cell Diversity in the Dorsal Neural Tube
• Generating Cell Diversity in the Ventral Neural Tube
• Generation of D-V Patterning in the Anterior Neural Tube Follows Rules Similar to those Used in the Spinal Cord

Novel Perspectives in Research on the Neural Crest and its Derivatives

• Novel Techniques to Investigate NC Development and Fate
• Mechanisms of Specification and Emigration of NC Cells
• Peripheral Neuronal Lineages: Pluripotentiality and Early Restrictions of Migratory NC
• Molecular Control of Neuron Development in Peripheral Ganglia
• Growth Cone Navigation and Innervation of Peripheral Targets
• Factors Controlling Neuronal Survival in the PNS
• Glial Cell Development from the NC-Peripheral Glial Lineages: Fate Choice and Early Developmental Events
• Signals that Control Schwann Cell-precursor Survival and Schwann Cell Generation

Eye Development

• Vertebrate Eye Development: An Overview
• Patterning of the Anterior Neural Plate
• Transcription Factors Function in the Establishment of Retinal Identity
• Patterning of the Eye Field and its Medio-lateral Separation
• Differentiation of Neuroretina and Pigmented Retinal Epithlium
• Differentiation of Retinal Cell Types

Mammalian Inner Ear Development: Of Mice and Man

• Morphological and Cellular Events in Mammalian Ear Development
• Postnatal Maturation
• Aging, Hair Cell Loss and the Molecular Biology of Hair Cell Regeneration

Limb Development

• The Major Signaling Pathways in Limb Development
• Limb Initiation and Formation of the Limb “Organizers”
• Function of Organizers in Regulating Pattern and Growth along the Limb Axes
• Coordination of Patterning, Outgrowth and Differentiation: Positive Co-regulation and Feedback Loops Synchronize Output from Limb Organizers, and Antagonism between Signaling Pathways Contributes to Polarity
• Ongoing Late Regulation and Realization of Pattern
• Potential Biomedical Applications and Future Directions

Skeletal Development

• Skeletal Morphogenesis
• Skeletal Growth
• Therapeutic Considerations

Musculature and Growth Factors

• Induction of Primary Myogenesis by Cell Signaling and Growth Factors
• Tour Guides: How Growth Factors Guide Migration of Muscle Precursor Cells During Embryonic Development
• Control of Muscle Size and Muscle Fiber Diversity by Local and Circulating Growth Factors
• Growth Factors in Muscle Wasting and Skeletal Muscle Regeneration
• Does Growth Factor Mediated Recruitment of Uncommitted Stem Cells Contribute to Skeletal Muscle Cell Regeneration

Skin Development

• Morphology of the Skin and Development of Hair Follicles and Other Adnexal Structures
• Cell Adhesion and the Role of Adhesion Molecules in Development
• Development of the Dermal Matrix
• Epithelial-Mesenchymal Interactions and Signaling
• Epidermal Stem Cells
• Pathological Skin Conditions Caused by Developmental Abnormalities

Tooth Development

• Signaling Pathways and their Networks Regulating Tooth Development
• Biological Effects
• Biomedical Application

Gastrointestinal Tract

• Development of the Gastrointestinal Mucosa
• Gastric Cell Proliferation and Differentiation
• Intestinal Cell Proliferation and Differentiation
• Biomedical Applications

Cell Signaling and Growth Factors in Lung Development

• Growth Factors and Lung Development
• Growth Factor Signaling Pathways in Lung Development
• Regulation of Signaling Networks
• Developmental Modulation of Growth Factor Signaling by Adapter Proteins
• Morphogens and Morphogenetic Gradients

Molecular Genetics of Liver and Pancreas Development

• From the Fertilized Egg to Primitive Endodermal Precursor Cells
• Commitment to Pancreas and Liver Fates in Xenopus
• Liver and Pancreas Specification in Mouse, Chicken and Zebrafish
• Proliferation and Differentiation of Functionally Distinct Pancreatic and Hepatic Cell Populations
• Transdifferentiation of Pancreas and Liver
• Pancreas and Liver Regeneration
• Generation of Pancreatic and Hepatic Cells from Pluripotent Embryonic Precursor Cells

Molecular Networks in Cardiac Development

• Implications of Studying Heart Development for Adult Cardiology
• Model Organisms
• Anatomical Description of Heart Development
• Cardiac Induction
• Transcription Factor Families Involved in Early Heart Induction
• Tubular Heart Formation
• Left-Right Axis Development
• Chamber Formation
• Outflow Tract Patterning and the Role of the Neural Crest
• Signals Governing Valve Formation
• Epigenetic Factors

Vasculogenesis

• Modes of Blood Vessel Morphogenesis: Vasculogenesis, Angiogenesis and Arteriogenesis
• Endothelial Cell Differentiation and Hematopoiesis
• Adult Arteriogenesis and Vasculogenesis
• Endothelial Cell Growth and Differentiation Factors
• VEGF and VEGF Receptors
• Other VEGF Family Members: Involvement in Angiogenesis and Lymphangiogenesis
• Hypoxia-inducible Factors and Other Endothelial Transcriptional Regulators

Inductive Signaling in Kidney Morphogenesis

• Early Differentiation of the Kidney
• Regulation of Ureteric Bud Branching
• Genes Affecting Early Nephrogenesis
• Signaling Molecules, their Receptors, and the Integrins
• Transcription Factors

Molecular and Cellular Pathways for the Morphogenesis of Mouse Sex Organs

• Building the Foundation: Establishment of the Urogenital Ridge
• Parting the Way: Sexually Dimorphic Development of the Gonad
• Dimorphic Development of the Reproductive Tracts
• Morphogenesis of the External Genitalia

Index

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