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Coelom formation: binary decision of the lateral plate mesoderm is controlled by the ectoderm.

Most triploblastic animals including vertebrates have a coelomic cavity that separates the outer and inner components of the body. The coelom is lined by two different tissue components, somatopleure and splanchnopleure, which are derived from the lateral plate region. Thus, the coelom is constructed as a result of a binary decision during early specification of the lateral plate. In this report we studied the molecular mechanisms of this binary decision. We first demonstrate that the splitting of the lateral plate into the two cell sheets progresses in an anteroposterior order and this progression is not coordinated with that of the somitic segmentation. By a series of embryological manipulations we found that young splanchnic mesoderm is still competent to be respecified as somatic mesoderm, and the ectoderm overlying the lateral plate is sufficient for this redirection. The lateral ectoderm is also required for maintenance of the somatic character of the mesoderm. Thus, the ectoderm plays at least two roles in the early subdivision of the lateral plate: specification and maintenance of the somatic mesoderm. We also show that the latter interactions are mediated by BMP molecules that are localized in the lateral ectoderm. Evolutionary aspects of the coelom formation are also considered.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Differential localization of TGF-beta 2 in mouse preimplantation and early postimplantation development.

The localization of transforming growth factor type beta 2 (TGF-beta 2) has been followed during preimplantation and early postimplantation murine development using an anti-peptide antibody that specifically recognizes TGF-beta 2. The staining pattern showed that TGF-beta 2 is expressed from the four-cell stage onward and is differentially regulated as cells diverge to various lineages. High levels of staining were found in the trophectoderm of the blastocyst but no staining was observed in the inner cell mass. During postimplantation development the primitive and embryonic ectoderm also lacked detectable staining while visceral endoderm stained well. Parietal endoderm cells also showed positive staining reaction although to a lesser extent than visceral endoderm cells. These findings were confirmed in model systems of the embryo, namely, embryonal carcinoma and embryonic stem cells differentiated to to cells with either visceral or parietal endoderm characteristics. The possible regulatory role of this factor in early embryogenesis is discussed.

Animals↗

A mouse embryonic stem cell line showing pluripotency of differentiation in early embryos and ubiquitous beta-galactosidase expression.

For analysis of chimeric mice made by injecting embryonic stem (ES) cells into host blastocysts, it is very desirable if the ES cells have a good cell marker that can distinguish them from host cells. It is ideal if the marker can be easily visualized in every type of cell and tissue throughout the embryogenesis. We tried to produce such ES cell lines by introducing an E. coli beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) gene construct by electroporation. One of the transformant lines (MS1-EL4) showed beta-gal activity in every undifferentiated stem cell. After being induced to differentiate in vitro, cells with various morphologies showed beta-gal activity. We also detected beta-gal activity in a wide variety of tissue elements in solid tumors made by injecting the MS1-EL4 cells into syngeneic mice. Then we produced chimeric embryos by injecting the MS1-EL4 cells into blastocysts and recovering the embryos at various developmental stages. We found that the MS1-EL4 cells contributed to various tissues and expressed beta-gal activity, including not only descendants of the inner cell mass but also the trophectoderm-derived extraembryonic ectoderm.

Animals↗

Isolation, characterization, and differential expression of the murine Sox-2 promoter.

Sox proteins are expressed at many stages of development and in numerous tissues. The transcription factor Sox-2 is first expressed throughout the inner cell mass and subsequently becomes localized to the primitive ectoderm, developing central nervous system, and the lens. Sox-2 is also highly expressed in F9 embryonal carcinoma cells, but becomes undetectable following differentiation of these cells. In this study, we have isolated, sequenced, and performed the first characterization of the Sox-2 promoter of any species. Approximately 2kb of the Sox-2 5'-flanking region has been sequenced and the primary transcription start site mapped by primer extension analysis. Additionally, two positive regulatory regions within the promoter region have been identified. We also show that expression of Sox-2 promoter/reporter gene constructs is reduced in differentiated EC cells as compared to their undifferentiated counterparts. Furthermore, we have identified a consensus inverted CCAAT box motif present in the Sox-2 promoter. Mutagenesis of this site significantly reduces the expression of Sox-2 promoter/reporter constructs. We also demonstrate that this CCAAT box motif can bind the trimeric transcription factor NF-Y.

Animals↗

Variability of chimaeras and mosaics.

Aggregation chimaeras and X-inactivation mosaics in mice are alike in general appearance, but chimaeras are very much more variable in the proportions of the cell types (p) seen for example in coat pigmentation. The distribution of p in chimaeras is not binomial, but is uniform, or flat, between the two extremes. The greater variability of chimaeras arises from two sampling events that occur when cellular heterogeneity is already present in chimaeras but before it arises in mosaics. These are the differentiation of the inner cell mass from the trophectoderm and of the primary ectoderm from the primary endoderm. The second of these generates the flat distribution of chimaeras as a consequence of the two cell types being unmixed at that time. The two sampling events generate single-colour individuals in roughly the proportions observed. Consideration of the second sampling event provides evidence that the primordial germ cells must originate in the primary ectoderm and not in the yolk-sac. Estimation of numbers of progenitor cells on the supposition of binomial sampling is not valid unless the clone-size is known or the cells in the sample are not contiguous. Data on coat pigmentation are consistent with the assumptions that X-inactivation is random in about 21 cells, that the sampling of melanoblasts is binomial (because they are not contiguous), and that the melanocytes of the head and body are descended from about 34 progenitor cells.

Animals↗

Dlx5 and Dlx6 homeobox genes are required for specification of the mammalian vestibular apparatus.

The mammalian inner ear is a complex organ that develops from a surface ectoderm into distinct auditory and vestibular components. Congenital malformation of these two components resulting from single or multiple gene defects is a common clinical occurrence and is observed in patients with split hand/split foot malformation, a malformation which is phenocopied by Dlx5/6 null mice. Analysis of mice lacking Dlx5 and Dlx6 homeobox genes identified their restricted and combined expression in the otic epithelium as a crucial regulator of vestibular cell fates. Otic induction initiates without incident in Dlx5/6(-/-) embryos, but dorsal otic derivatives including the semicircular ducts, utricle, saccule, and endolymphatic duct fail to form. Dlx5 and Dlx6 seem to influence vestibular cell fates by restricting Pax2 and activating Gbx2 and Bmp4 expression domains. Given their proximity to the disease locus and the observed phenotype in Dlx5/6 null mice, Dlx5/6 are likely candidates to mediate the inner ear defects observed in patients with split hand/split foot malformation.

Animals↗

Development of the vertebrate inner ear.

The inner ear, also called the membranous labyrinth, contains the cochlea, which is responsible for the sense of hearing, and the vestibular apparatus, which is necessary for the sense of balance and gravity. The inner ear arises in the embryo from placodes, which are epithelial thickenings of the cranial ectoderm symmetrically located on either side of hindbrain rhombomeres 5 and 6. Placode formation in mice is first visible at the 12-somite stage and is controlled by surrounding tissues, the paraxial mesoderm and neural ectoderm. Diffusible molecules such as growth factors play an important role in this process. The activity of several genes confers the identity to the placodal cells. Subsequent cellular proliferation processes under influences from the adjacent hindbrain cause the inner ear epithelium to invaginate and form a vesicle called the otocyst. Combinatorial expression of several genes and diffusible factors secreted from the vesicle epithelium and hindbrain control specification of distinct inner ear compartments. Transplantation studies and inner ear in vitro cultures show that each of these compartments is already committed to develop unique inner ear structures. Later developmental periods are principally characterized by intrinsic differentiation processes. In particular, sensory patches differentiate into fully functional sensory epithelia, and the semicircular canals along with the cochlear duct are elaborated and ossified.

Animals↗

Mouse blastocyst immunosurgery with commercial antiserum to mouse erythrocytes.

Immunosurgery is a useful technique for the isolation of inner cell masses from murine blastocysts. Conventionally, rabbit antisera made ad hoc against murine splenic or fetal cells or fibroblasts have been used as antibody sources. We investigated the feasibility of using commercially available rabbit antiserum to murine erythrocytes (anti-RBC) and compared it with rabbit antiserum generated ad hoc to murine L-cells (anti-L-cell). Our results indicate that anti-RBC is at least as effective as anti-L-cell serum for the immunosurgical isolation of inner cell masses, which became either mini-blastocysts (later forming outgrowths) or embryoid bodies (undergoing ectoderm-endodermlike differentiation within 48 h). Because anti-RBC is commercially available, the technical modification described herein increases the accessibility of the immunosurgical protocol for the isolation of murine inner cell masses.

Animals↗

Transient pluripotent cell populations during primitive ectoderm formation: correlation of in vivo and in vitro pluripotent cell development.

Formation and differentiation of a pluripotent cell population is central to mammalian development, and the isolation, identification and manipulation of human pluripotent cells is predicted to be of therapeutic use. Within the early mammalian embryo, two distinct populations of pluripotent cells have been described: the inner cell mass (ICM), which differentiates to form a second pluripotent cell populations, the primitive ectoderm. Indirect evidence suggests the existence of temporally distinct intermediate pluripotent cell populations as primitive ectoderm is formed. We coupled an in vitro model of primitive ectoderm formation (the transition of embryonic stem cells to early primitive ectoderm-like (EPL) cells) with ddPCR-based techniques to identify three novel genes, Psc1, CRTR-1 and PRCE, that were expressed differently during pluripotent cell progression. Detailed mapping of these genes with Oct4, Rex1 and Fgf5 on pregastrulation embryos provided the first molecular evidence for the existence of successive, temporally distinct pluripotent cell populations in the embryo between the ICM and primitive ectoderm. No evidence was found for spatial heterogeneity within the Oct4(+) pool. The transition between populations correlated with morphological or developmental alterations in pluripotent cells in vivo. Genes that are temporally expressed during pluripotent cell progression may provide an opportunity for molecular discrimination of pluripotent cells at different stages of maturation in vivo and an understanding of the cellular origins and properties of pluripotent cell lines isolated from diverse sources. Furthermore, the strong correlation of gene expression demonstrated between EPL cell formation in vitro and primitive ectoderm formation in vivo validates EPL cells as a model for primitive ectoderm, thereby providing a model system for the investigation of pluripotent differentiation and an opportunity for directed differentiation of pluripotent cells to therapeutically useful cell populations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mosaic analysis of the embryonic origin of taste buds.

The embryonic origins of taste receptor cells have not been established experimentally. Although related receptor cells (e.g. hair cells of the inner ear, lateral line receptors) are known to arise from neurogenic ectoderm (e.g. neural crest or placodes), taste buds are described as arising from local epithelial cells. Also unknown is whether or not each taste bud is a clone of cells, i.e. arising from a single progenitor. To address these problems, mosaic and chimeric analyses of lingual epithelium and taste buds have been undertaken. This paper describes the theory of chimeric and mosaic cell lineage analyses, the advantages and disadvantages, and the preliminary results obtained from the examination of the taste buds and lingual epithelium of: 1) mosaic Xenopus, 2) chimeric mice and 3) X-inactivation mosaic mice.

Animals↗

Investigation of the fate of 4-5 day post-coitum mouse inner cell mass cells by blastocyst injection.

Two distinct patterns of chimaerism were found in conceptuses produced by injecting dissociated 4.5-day inner cell mass cells into genetically dissimilar blastocysts. Pattern 1: donor cells were found in the endoderm layer of the visceral yolk sac, but not in the adjacent mesoderm layer of this organ or in the foetus itself. Pattern 2: donor cells were found in the mesoderm layer of the visceral yolk sac and/or foetus, but never in the yolk-sac endoderm as well. Primitive endoderm cells of donor inner cell masses are responsible for the first pattern and primitive ectoderm cells for the second. These results, together with those of previous studies, suggest that the entire foetus, including its endodermal components, is formed from the primitive ectoderm, and that primitive endoderm forms only extra-embryonic endoderm of the conceptus.

Animals↗

Differential expression of LIM domain-only (LMO) genes in the developing mouse inner ear.

The vertebrate inner ear, a complex sensory organ with vestibular and auditory functions, is derived from a single ectoderm structure called the otic placode. Currently, the molecular mechanisms governing the differentiation and specification of the otic epithelium are poorly understood. We present here a detailed expression study of LMO1-4 in the developing mouse inner ear using a combination of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. LMO1 is specifically expressed in the vestibular and cochlear hair cells as well as the vestibular ganglia of the developing inner ear. LMO2 expression is detected in the periotic mesenchyme of the developing mouse cochlea from E12.5 to E14.5. The expression of LMO3 expression is first observed in the cochlea at E13.5 and becomes confined to the lesser epithelial ridge (LER) from E14.5 to E17.5. LMO3 is also expressed in some of the vestibular ganglion cells. LMO4 is initially expressed in the dorsolateral portion of the otic vesicle and its expression persists in the semicircular canals, macula, crista, and the spiral ganglia throughout embryogenesis. Thus, the regionalized expression patterns of LMO1-4 are closely associated with the morphogenesis of the inner ear.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

[Johanson-Blizzard syndrome. A complex dysplasia syndrome with aplasia of the nasal alae and inner ear deafness].

BACKGROUND: The Johanson-Blizzard syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive syndrome with ectodermal dysplasia. ENT findings in the syndrome include profound bilateral hearing loss, aplasia of the alae nasi and dental malformations. To date approximately 30 cases have been described. CASE REPORT: We report our findings in a female patient who was born as the second child of consanguine parents. Pregnancy was normal, birth weight 3620 g and body length 52 cm. She was hospitalized immediately after birth because of anal atresia and facial dysmorphism with aplastic alae nasi, mongoloid eye slant and slightly dystopic ears. Bilateral symmetric profound hearing loss was diagnosed by subjective hearing tests and confirmed by auditory evoked brainstem potentials. Otoacoustic emissions were absent. Hearing aids were successfully fitted. Other malformations were a duplex of the uterus and vagina and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The anal atresia was corrected surgically. DISCUSSION: In general, the exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in the Johanson-Blizzard syndrome requires careful medical management. The aplastic alae nasi require no specific therapy, while in our case in the hearing loss could be treated with hearing aids.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Int-2 influences the development of the nodose ganglion.

The int-2 gene was first described as a common proviral integration site in tumors induced by mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV). During embryonic development int-2 is produced and released by cells in the rhombencephalon and diffuses to the ectoderm to induce formation of the otocyst from the otic placode. Int-2 also influences the development of the vestibulocochlear ganglion that is derived from the otic placode. During embryogenesis the otic and nodose placodes, primordia of the inner ear and the nodose ganglia, respectively, are located adjacent to each other in the embryonic ectoderm. The nodose ganglia provide sensory innervation to all of the viscera. Using Northern analysis we determined that a high level of int-2 is transcribed in stage 14 chick embryos. This is the time when cells begin to migrate from the nodose placodes to form the nodose ganglia. Using human and mouse sequences to design primers around the translation start site of the transcript, a partial clone containing the translation start site of chick int-2 was obtained by polymerase chain reaction amplification from chick genomic DNA and cloned. An antisense oligodeoxynucleotide was designed to the region of the translation start site, and in vitro and in vivo techniques were used to demonstrate that inhibition of int-2 translation using this antisense oligonucleotide causes delayed and abnormal development of the nodose placodes. For in vitro studies, explants of stage 12 chick embryos containing neural tube, adjacent surface ectoderm, and pharyngeal endoderm were cultured with int-2 antisense oligonucleotide.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Generation of the germ layers along the animal-vegetal axis in Xenopus laevis.

After completion of gastrulation, typical vertebrate embryos consist of three cell sheets, called germ layers. The outer layer, the ectoderm, which produces the cells of the epidermis and the nervous system; the inner layer, the endoderm, producing the lining of the digestive tube and its associated organs (pancreas, liver, lungs etc.) and the middle layer, the mesoderm, which gives rise to several organs (heart, kidney, gonads), connective tissues (bone, muscles, tendons, blood vessels), and blood cells. The formation of the germ layers is one of the earliest embryonic events to subdivide multicellular embryos into a few compartments. In Xenopus laevis, the spatial domains of three germ layers are largely separated along the animal-vegetal axis even before gastrulation; ectoderm in the animal pole region; mesoderm in the equatorial region and endoderm in the vegetal pole region. In this review, we summarise the recent advances in our understanding of the formation of the germ layers in Xenopus laevis.

Animals↗

JAM-A expression during embryonic development.

Cell adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily play an important role in embryonic development. We have shown recently that JAM-A, a member of this family expressed at endothelial and epithelial tight junctions, is involved in platelet activation, leukocyte transmigration, and angiogenesis. Here, we determine the expression pattern of the JAM-A gene during embryogenesis using transgenic mice expressing lacZ under the control of the endogenous JAM-A promoter. Histochemical staining for beta-galactosidase in heterozygous mouse embryos was first seen in the inner cell mass and trophectoderm of the blastocyst. By 8.5 days post coitum (dpc), JAM-A gene activity was detected in the endoderm and part of the surface ectoderm. At 9.5 dpc, JAM-A expression began to localize to certain organ systems, most notably the developing inner ear and early vasculature. Localization of JAM-A to embryonic vasculature was confirmed by double-staining with antibodies against JAM-A and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, a known endothelial cell marker. As organogenesis progressed, high levels of JAM-A expression continued in the epithelial component of the inner ear as well as the epithelium of the developing skin, olfactory system, lungs, and kidneys. In addition, JAM-A gene activity was found in the developing liver, choroid plexuses, and gut tubes. Immunofluorescent staining with a JAM-A antibody was performed to confirm that expression of the JAM-A-beta-galactosidase fusion protein accurately represented endogenous JAM-A protein. Thus, JAM-A is prominently expressed in embryonic vasculature and the epithelial components of several organ systems and may have an important role in their development.

Animals↗

[Formation of the inner ear lymphs. Permeability of inner ear membranes (author's transl)].

1. The endolymphatic system is morphologically a close system. The inner surface of the wall is tightly lined with an epithelium of ectodermal origin. The perilymphatic spaces are enlarged intercellular spaces which are built from the embryonic mesenchyme. 2. The perilymph ist an ultrafiltrate of plasma. There is probably a flow from the cerebrospinal fluid which is constantly renewed. The diffusion in the perilymph is dependent on the concentration and the size of the molecules. The endolymph is mainly a perilymph-filtrate. The "secretory" epithelia (e.g. stria vascularis cells and other tissues) of the endolymphatic system perform an important role to sustain the potassium and sodium concentrations. The ionic concentrations regulate the water movement also the volume of the endolymphatic spaces. They are maintained by anoxy-sensitive pumps. 3. The DC potential within the endolymphatic spaces represents the movement of certain electrical charge through membranes. By applying various inhibitors it is possible to distinguish the pumping mechanisms, and to observe the continuous changes of potassium and sodium concentrations with Na+ specific electrodes and K+ specific electrodes. There are probably three interdependent sources of driving-forces: a. A positively electrogenic K+-pump which is anoxia-sensitive and can be inhibited by Ethacrynic acid. This mechanism is more active in stria cells and less so in utricle and saccule. b. A negatively electrogenic Na+-K+ exchange-pump in all parts of the endolymphatic spaces is inhibited by Ouabain or anoxia. c. The passive diffusion of potassium-ions from endolymph to perilymph results an electro-negative effect.

Animals↗

Expression of connexin31 and connexin43 genes in early rat embryos.

Gap junctions have been reported to play a pivotal role in coordinating embryonic development. Here we report the temporal and spatial pattern of connexin31 that has been found to be coexpressed with connexin43 in preimplantation rat embryos. Connexin31 and connexin43 transcripts are abundant in the zygote and degraded in the two- and four-cell stage to low levels for connexin31 and to undetectable ones for connexin43. The uncompacted eight-cell stage lacks the transcripts of both connexins. Reexpression of connexin43 and connexin31 mRNA is found from the compacted eight-cell stage onward. The connexin31 antigen, however, is already detected intracellularly at the uncompacted eight-cell stage. At the blastocyst stage, both connexins are coexpressed in the trophectoderm as well as in the inner cell mass. After implantation, compartmentalization of both connexins is observed. Connexin31 is now expressed exclusively by the cells of the ectoplacental cone and extraembryonic ectoderm, whereas connexin43 is restricted to the cells of the embryo proper. This compartmentalization in connexin expression between the derivatives of the inner cell mass and the trophectoderm may maintain the different developmental programs. THus, connexin31 seems not to be related to the first step in trophoblast lineage development and could serve as a compensatory channel during preimplantation development.

Animals↗