EGF-receptor regulates salivary gland branching morphogenesis by supporting proliferation and maturation of epithelial cells and survival of mesenchymal cells.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) regulates epithelial morphogenesis during development and is important for the proper branching of the lung, mammary gland, and pancreas. We analyzed the salivary gland phenotype of EGF-R-deficient mice and showed impaired growth, branching, and maturation of the epithelium. Furthermore, treatment of wild-type E13 salivary glands with gefitinib, a small molecular inhibitor of EGF-R, led to apoptosis of the mesenchyme.

ErbB signaling regulates lineage determination of developing pancreatic islet cells in embryonic organ culture.

The neuregulin (NRG)/epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of growth factors consists of several ligands that specifically activate four erbB receptor-tyrosine kinases, namely erbB-1 (EGF-R), erbB-2 (neu), erbB-3, and erbB-4. We have previously shown that islet morphogenesis is impaired and beta-cell differentiation delayed in mice lacking functional EGF-R [EGF-R (-/-)]. The present study aims to clarify which erbB ligands are important for islet development.