Intracellular signalling cascades activated by the EGF receptor and/or by integrins, with potential relevance for branching morphogenesis of the fetal mouse submandibular gland

The fetal mouse submandibular gland grown in vitro is a valuable model system to study epithelio-mesenchymal interactions vital for branching morphogenesis. This basic developmental process is dependent upon simultaneous engagement of receptors for growth factors and components of the extracellular matrix. Here we review intracellular signalling cascades mediated by activation of the EGFR in the developing mouse submandibular gland.