Different thresholds of fibroblast growth factors pattern the ventral foregut into liver and lung.

Cell fate and morphogenesis within the embryo is dependent upon secreted molecules that transduce signals between neighboring tissues. Reciprocal mesenchymal-epithelial interactions have proven essential during branching morphogenesis and cell differentiation within the lung; however, the interactions that result in lung specification from the foregut endoderm, prior to lung bud formation, are poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the tissue requirements and signals necessary for specification of a pulmonary cell fate using embryo tissue explants.