Epithelial and mesenchymal fate decisions in Wolffian duct development.

Wolffian ducts (WDs) are the paired embryonic structures that give rise to internal male reproductive tract organs. WDs are initially formed in both sexes but have sex-specific fates during sexual differentiation. Understanding WD differentiation requires insights into the process of fate decisions of epithelial and mesenchymal cells, which are tightly coordinated by endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine signals. In this review, we discuss current advances in understanding the fate-decision process of WD epithelial and mesenchymal lineages from their initial formation at the embryonic stage to postnatal differentiation. Finally, we discuss aberrant cell differentiation in WD abnormalities and pathologies and identify opportunities for future investigations. Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Citation

McKenna J Crossen, Jillian Wilbourne, Allyssa Fogarty, Fei Zhao. Epithelial and mesenchymal fate decisions in Wolffian duct development. Trends in endocrinology and metabolism: TEM. 2023 Aug;34(8):462-473

Mesh Tags

PMID: 37330364

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