Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8439-2196
Defense Date
2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Biomedical Engineering
First Advisor
Priscilla Hwang
Second Advisor
Daniel Conway
Third Advisor
Christopher Lemmon
Fourth Advisor
Henry Donahue
Fifth Advisor
Swadesh Das
Abstract
During epithelial morphogenesis, in vivo, epithelial cells form cysts enclosing a single, hollow lumen and extend protrusions as a precursor for tubulogenesis. Cell-cell adhesions (e.g., cadherins) contribute to successful execution of these processes; while there are many different cadherins, one less studied cadherin in epithelial morphogenesis is P-cadherin (CDH3). Here, we investigated the role of CDH3 on successful lumen formation and cell protrusions, using three-dimensional cultures of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and modifying CDH3 expression. Additionally, we show depletion of CDH3 leads to perturbations of hollow lumen formation, associated with defects in cell protrusions and tubulogenesis. CDH3 knockout cells also exhibited a decrease in migration velocity compared to wild-type cells, suggesting CDH3 acts as a mechanosensor for stable cell protrusion establishment. Finally, we investigate potential migration pathways that may regulate collective cell migration dynamics driving cellular protrusions. Together, the findings in this dissertation suggest CDH3 and YAP signaling have an essential function during epithelial morphogenesis by contributing to successful epithelial sheet migration in 2D; lumen formation, and cell protrusions in 3D.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
9-17-2025