Control of tissue dimensions in the developing neural tube and somites

Abstract

Despite its fundamental importance for development, the question of how organs achieve their correct size and shape is poorly understood. This complex process requires coordination between the generation of cell mass and the morphogenetic mechanisms that sculpt tissues. These processes are regulated by morphogen signalling pathways and mechanical forces. Yet, in many systems, it is unclear how biochemical and mechanical signalling are quantitatively interpreted to determine the behaviours of individual cells and how they contribute to growth and morphogenesis at the tissue scale. In this review, we discuss the development of the vertebrate neural tube and somites as an example of the state of knowledge, as well as the challenges in understanding the mechanisms of tissue size control in vertebrate organogenesis. We highlight how the recent advances in stem cell differentiation and organoid approaches can be harnessed to provide new insights into this question.