Molecular aspects of respiratory and vascular tube development

Lung, cardiovascular system, liver and kidney are some examples for organs that develop ramified three-dimensional networks of epithelial tubes. The tube morphology affects flow rates of transported materials, such as liquids and gases. Therefore, it is important to understand how tube morphology is controlled. In Drosophila melanogaster many evolutionarily conserved genetic pathways have been shown to be involved in airway patterning. Recent studies identified a number of conserved mechanisms that drive Drosophila airway maturation, such as controlling tube size, barrier formation and lumen clearance. Genetically highly ordered branching modes previously have been found, also for mouse lung development. The understanding of tube patterning, outgrowth, ramification and maturation also is of clinical relevance, since many factors are evolutionarily conserved and may have similar functions in humans. This meeting report highlights novel findings concerning tube development in the fruit fly (D. melanogaster), the zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the laboratory mouse (Mus musculus).