L-02   EPITHELIAL-MESENCHYMAL INTERACTIONS IN FOLLICLE DEVELOPMENT AND ADULT GROWTH

C. Jahoda. School of Biomedical and Biological Sciences, University of Durham, Durham, UK

Investigations using mouse models continue to highlight the role of major developmental signalling pathways in all aspects of follicle behaviour. Recent work provides interesting new evidence that intracellular adhesion molecules can influence these signalling activities in early follicle morphogenesis and adult follicle cycling. Typically the emergence of signalling molecules with key functions in follicle behaviour has followed from their discovery in other developmental models such Drosophila, or early development in Xenopus. In an interesting reversal to this trend, investigations of gene expression in specific follicle components using microarrays are beginning to reveal genes that may have important roles in other developmental systems. Finally, in considering epithelial-mesechymal interactions in the follicle, the broader roles of both tissues needs to be considered, for example their involvement in wound healing.