Mechanisms of physiological tissue remodeling in animals: Manipulating tissue, organ, and organism morphology

Dev Biol. 2019 Jul 15;451(2):134-145. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.04.001. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Abstract

Tissue remodeling is broadly defined as the reorganization or restoration of existing tissues. Tissue remodeling processes are responsible for directing the development and maintenance of tissues, organs, and overall morphology of an organism. Therefore, studying the regulatory and mechanistic aspects of tissue remodeling allows one to decipher how tissue structure and function is manipulated in animals. As such, research focused on investigating natural tissue reorganization in animal model organisms has great potential for advancing medical therapies, in conjunction with tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Here we discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for tissue remodeling events that occur across several animal phyla. Notably, this review emphasizes the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in embryonic and postnatal physiological tissue remodeling events, ranging from metamorphosis to bone remodeling during functional adaptation.

Keywords: Embryonic remodeling; Metamorphosis; Morphology; Physiological remodeling; Post-embryonic remodeling; Tissue remodeling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animal Structures / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution
  • Extracellular Matrix / chemistry
  • Extracellular Matrix / physiology
  • Humans
  • Metamorphosis, Biological
  • Models, Animal
  • Regeneration*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tissue Engineering