RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Retinal Pigment Epithelium and Neural Retinal Progenitors Interact via Semaphorin 6D to Facilitate Optic Cup Morphogenesis JF eneuro JO eNeuro FD Society for Neuroscience SP ENEURO.0053-21.2021 DO 10.1523/ENEURO.0053-21.2021 VO 8 IS 3 A1 Cechmanek, Paula Bernice A1 Hehr, Carrie Lynn A1 McFarlane, Sarah YR 2021 UL http://www.eneuro.org/content/8/3/ENEURO.0053-21.2021.abstract AB Cell movement propels embryonic tissues to acquire shapes required for mature function. The movements are driven both by acto-myosin signaling and by cells interacting with the extracellular matrix (ECM). Unknown is whether cell-cell interactions within a tissue are also required, and the molecular mechanisms by which such communication might occur. Here, we use the developing visual system of zebrafish as a model to understand the role cell-cell communication plays in tissue morphogenesis in the embryonic nervous system. We identify that cell-cell-mediated contact between two distinct cell populations, progenitors of the neural retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), facilitates epithelial flow to produce the mature cupped retina. We identify for the first time the need in eye morphogenesis for distinct populations of progenitors to interact, and suggest a novel role for a member of a key developmental signaling family, the transmembrane Semaphorin6d, as mediating communication between distinct cell types to control tissue morphogenesis.