Morphogenesis of extra-embryonic tissues directs the remodelling of the mouse embryo at implantation

Neophytos Christodoulou, Antonia Weberling, Douglas Strathdee, Kurt I. Anderson, Paul Timpson and Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz ()
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Neophytos Christodoulou: University of Cambridge, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience
Antonia Weberling: University of Cambridge, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience
Douglas Strathdee: Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute
Kurt I. Anderson: Francis Crick Institute
Paul Timpson: Cancer Division
Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz: University of Cambridge, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Mammalian embryos change shape dramatically upon implantation. The cellular and molecular mechanism underlying this transition are largely unknown. Here, we show that this transition is directed by cross talk between the embryonic epiblast and the first extra-embryonic tissue, the trophectoderm. Specifically, we show via visualisation of a Cdx2-GFP reporter line and pharmacologically mediated loss and gain of function experiments that the epiblast provides FGF signal that results in differential fate acquisition in the multipotent trophectoderm leading to the formation of a tissue boundary within this tissue. The trophectoderm boundary becomes essential for expansion of the tissue into a multi-layered epithelium. Folding of this multi-layered trophectoderm induces spreading of the second extra-embryonic tissue, the primitive endoderm. Together, these events remodel the pre-implantation embryo into its post-implantation cylindrical shape. Our findings uncover how communication between embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues provides positional cues to drive shape changes in mammalian development during implantation.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11482-5

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