The paper investigates how directional cell motility drives side-branching in the mammary epithelium, showing that actomyosin network tension influences branching frequency.

bioRxiv · Jul 30, 2025 · PreprintCell Biology

On growth and form of the mammary gland: Mesenchyme instructs growth while epithelium directs branching

Qiang Lan, Ewelina Trela, Riitta Lindström, Jyoti Prabha Satta, Beata Kaczyńska, Mona M. Christensen, Martin Holzenberger, Jukka Jernvall, Marja L. Mikkola

This study shows that mammary epithelium dictates branching patterns while mesenchyme controls growth and density during mammary gland development.

eLife · Mar 5, 2024Peer-reviewedDevelopmental Biology

Mechanical forces across compartments coordinate cell shape and fate transitions to generate tissue architecture

Clémentine Villeneuve, Ali Hashmi, Irene Ylivinkka, Elizabeth Lawson-Keister, Yekaterina A. Miroshnikova, Carlos Perez Gonzalez, Satu-Marja Myllymäki, Fabien Bertillot, Bhagwan Yadav, Tao Zhang, Danijela Matic Vignjevic, Marja L. Mikkola, M. Lisa Manning, Sara A. Wickström

The paper shows how mechanical forces from epithelial and mesenchymal compartments coordinate cell shape and fate to form tissue architecture during hair follicle development.

Nature Cell Biology · Feb 1, 2024Peer-reviewedDevelopmental Biology

Wnt target gene Ascl4 is dispensable for skin appendage development

Verdiana Papagno, Ana‐Marija Sulic, Jyoti Prabha Satta, Aida Kaffash Hoshiar, Vinod Kumar, Jukka Jernvall, Marja L. Mikkola

This study shows that Ascl4, a Wnt/{beta}-catenin target gene, is not essential for skin appendage development in mice.

The International Journal of Developmental Biology · Jan 1, 2024Peer-reviewedDevelopmental Biology

Stabilization of epithelial β-catenin compromises mammary cell fate acquisition and branching morphogenesis

Jyoti Prabha Satta, Qiang Lan, Makoto Mark Taketo, Marja L. Mikkola

This study shows that stabilizing β-catenin in mammary epithelium impairs branching morphogenesis and promotes epidermal differentiation over hair follicle fate.

Journal of Investigative Dermatology · Dec 28, 2023Peer-reviewedDevelopmental Biology

Mesenchyme governs hair follicle induction

Otto J.M. Mäkelä, Marja L. Mikkola

This study identifies that mesenchyme can induce hair follicles before dermal condensate formation in mouse embryos.

Development · Nov 15, 2023Peer-reviewedDevelopmental Biology

Transcriptomic landscape of early hair follicle and epidermal development

Ana‐Marija Sulic, Rishi Das Roy, Verdiana Papagno, Qiang Lan, Riikka Saikkonen, Jukka Jernvall, Irma Thesleff, Marja L. Mikkola

The paper uses bulk and single-cell transcriptomics to study early hair follicle and epidermal development, identifying new cell populations and markers.

Cell Reports · Jun 1, 2023Peer-reviewedDevelopmental Biology

Molecular and spatial design of early skin development

Tina Jacob, Karl Annusver, Paulo Czarnewski, Tim Dalessandri, Maria Eleni Kastriti, Chiara Levra Levron, Marja L. Mikkola, Michael Rendl, Beate M. Lichtenberger, Giacomo Donati, Åsa K. Björklund, Maria Kasper

This study uses single-cell transcriptomics and spatial analysis to map early mouse skin development, revealing new cell types and interactions.

bioRxiv · Dec 28, 2022 · PreprintDevelopmental Biology

Exploring the principles of embryonic mammary gland branching morphogenesis

Riitta Lindström, Jyoti Prabha Satta, Satu-Marja Myllymäki, Qiang Lan, Ewelina Trela, Renata Prunskaite‐Hyyryläinen, Beata Kaczyńska, Maria Voutilainen, Satu Kuure, Seppo Juhani Vainio, Marja L. Mikkola

This study investigates branching morphogenesis in the embryonic mammary gland using ex vivo and in vivo techniques, revealing stochastic branching patterns and pathway-dependent regulation.

bioRxiv · Aug 23, 2022 · PreprintDevelopmental Biology

Intercellular alignment of apical-basal polarity coordinates tissue homeostasis and growth

Jinghua Gui, Yunxian Huang, Satu-Marja Myllymäki, Marja L. Mikkola, Osamu Shimmi

The paper investigates how intercellular alignment of apical-basal polarity coordinates tissue homeostasis and growth in Drosophila.

bioRxiv · Oct 11, 2021 · PreprintDevelopmental Biology