Patterning of fast and slow fibers within embryonic muscles is established independently of signals from the surrounding mesenchyme

During embryonic development, and before functional innervation, a highly stereotypic pattern of slow- and fast-contracting primary muscle fibers is established within individual muscles of the limbs, from distinct populations of myoblasts. A difference between the fiber-type pattern found within chicken and quail pectoral muscles was exploited to investigate the contributions of somite-derived myogenic precursors and lateral plate-derived mesenchymal stroma to the establishment of muscle fiber-type patterns. Chimeric chicken/quail embryos were constructed by reciprocal transplantation of somites or lateral plate mesoderm at stages prior to muscle formation. Muscle fibers derived from quail myogenic precursors that had migrated into chicken stroma showed a quail pattern of mixed fast- and slow-contracting muscle fibers. Conversely, chicken myogenic precursors that had migrated into quail stroma showed a chicken pattern of nearly exclusive fast muscle fiber formation. These results demonstrate in vivo an intrinsic commitment to fiber-type on the part of the myoblast, independent of extrinsic signals it receives from the mesenchymal stroma in which it differentiates.

Inductive signals from the somatopleure mediated by bone morphogenetic proteins are essential for the formation of the sternal component of avian ribs

The posterior five pairs of avian ribs are composed of vertebral and sternal components, both derived from the somitic mesoderm. For the patterning of the rib cartilage, inductive signals from neighboring tissues on the somitic mesoderm have been suggested to play critical roles. The notochord and surface ectoderm overlying the somitic mesoderm are essentially required for the development of proximal and distal regions of the ribs, respectively. Involvement of the somatopleure in rib development has already been suggested but is less understood than those of the notochord and surface ectoderm. In this study, we reinvestigated the role of the somatopleure during rib development. We first identified the chicken homologue of the mouse Mesenchymal forkhead-1 (cMfh-1) gene based on sequence similarities. cMfh-1 was observed to be expressed in the nonaxial mesoderm, including the somitic mesoderm, and, subsequently, in cartilage forming the ribs, vertebrae, and appendicular skeletal system. In the interlimb region, corresponding to somites 21-25 (or 26), cMfh-1-positive somitic mesoderm was seen penetrating the somatopleure of E4 embryos, and cMfh-1 was used as a molecular marker demarcating prospective rib cartilage. A series of experiments affecting the penetration of the somitic mesoderm into the somatopleure was performed in the present study, resulting in defects in sternal rib formation. The inductive signals emanating from the somatopleure mediated by BMP family proteins were observed to be essentially involved in the ingrowth of the somitic mesoderm. BMP4 alone, however, could not completely replace inductive signals from the somatopleure, suggesting the involvement of additional signals for rib formation.

Regulation of Epha4 expression in paraxial and lateral plate mesoderm by ectoderm-derived signals

Somitogenesis in all vertebrates involves a mesenchymal to epithelial transition of segmental plate cells. Such a transition involves cells altering their morphology and their adhesive properties. The Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases has been postulated to regulate cytoskeletal organization. In this study, we show that a receptor belonging to this family, EphA4, is expressed in the segmental plate in a region where cells are undergoing changes in cell shape as a prelude to epithelialization. We have identified the ectoderm covering the somites and the midline ectoderm as sources of signals capable of inducing EphA4. Loss of EphA4 results in cells of irregular morphology and somites fail to form. We also show that when somites fail to develop, expression of EphA4 in the lateral plate is also lost. We suggest that signaling occurs between the somites and the lateral plate mesoderm and provide evidence that retinoic acid is involved in this communication.

Compartmentalization of the somite and myogenesis in chick embryos are influenced by wnt expression

Muscles of the body and bones of the axial skeleton derive from specialized regions of somites. Somite development is influenced by adjacent structures. In particular, the dorsal neural tube and the overlying ectoderm have been shown to be necessary for the induction of myogenic precursor cells in the dermomyotome. Members of the Wnt family of signaling molecules, which are expressed in the dorsal neural tube and the ectoderm, are postulated to be responsible for this process. It is shown here that ectopically implanted Wnt-1-, -3a-, and -4-expressing cells alter the process of somite compartmentalization in vivo. An enlarged dorsal compartment results from the implantation of Wnt-expressing cells ventrally between the neural tube/notochord and epithelial somites, at the expense of the ventral compartment, the sclerotome. Thus, ectopic Wnt expression is able to override the influence of ventralizing signals arising from notochord and floor plate. This shift of the border between the two compartments was identified by an increase in the domain of Pax-3 expression and a complete loss of Pax-1 expression in somites close to the ectopic Wnt signal. The expanded expression of MyoD and desmin provides evidence that it is the myotome which increases as a result of Wnt signaling. Paraxis expression is also drastically amplified after implantation of Wnt-expressing cells indicating that Wnts are involved in the formation and maintenance of somite epithelium and suggesting that Paraxis is activated through Wnt signaling pathways. Taken together these results suggest that ectopic Wnts disturb the normal balance of signaling molecules within the somite, resulting in an enhanced recruitment of somitic cells into the myogenic lineage.

Regulation by glucagon (cAMP) and insulin of the promoter of the human phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene (cytosolic) in cultured rat hepatocytes and in human hepatoblastoma cells

A promoter fragment (-457 to +65) of the human cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene, which by analogy to the rat promoter contains regulatory regions conferring glucagon (cAMP) and insulin responsiveness to the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene, was cloned into a luciferase expression vector and transfected into cultured rat hepatocytes and human hepatoblastoma cells (HepG2) to study the regulation of the transgene by glucagon (cAMP) and insulin. A reporter gene that contained the rat promoter sequence from -493 to +33 was used for comparison. In cultured rat hepatocytes glucagon and its second messenger cAMP increased luciferase expression 4-6-fold over basal levels. Insulin reduced this effect by 40-70%. Luciferase expression was also stimulated by the combination of dexamethasone and cAMP in HepG2 cells and this effect was inhibited by insulin. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) inhibitor, wortmannin, abolished this action of insulin in cultured rat hepatocytes. The results show that the promoter of the human phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene mediates the stimulatory action of glucagon and its second messenger cAMP. The inhibitory action of insulin was exerted through the PI 3-kinase pathway in cultured rat hepatocytes.

Contribution of single somites to the skeleton and muscles of the occipital and cervical regions in avian embryos

Controversy has surrounded the process of resegmentation of cervico-occipital somites. We have reinvestigated this topic by grafting single somites of quail embryos homotopically into chick embryos. Somites one to five contribute to the skull. Somites one and two contribute to the parasphenoid, which develops by direct ossification in a non-segmental fashion. All cartilaginous derivatives of the somites are segmental. Somite two forms a stripe of cells in the basioccipital, exoccipital and supraoccipital. Somites three to five give rise to the subsequent caudal parts of the basioccipital and exoccipital. Somite five forms the first motion segment including the occipital condyle, the cranial part of the atlas and the tip of the dens axis. Therefore, the border between head and neck is in the centre of somite five, and corresponds to the expression boundary of Choxb-3. Somite six forms the caudal part of the atlas and the cranial part of the axis. Somites two to eight all contribute to the cranio-cervical muscles with the exception of the Mm. rectus capitis dorsalis and ventralis and the M. biventer cervicis, which do not receive contributions from somite two. In contrast, the M. cucullaris capitis is exclusively formed by myogenic cells from somite two, which parallels its exclusive innervation by the accessory nerve. Our data confirm the segmental nature of the occiput, and show that resegmentation is a very regular process involving all except the four cranialmost somites. Except for somites one and two, all of the somites contribute to the muscles located at the appropriate levels.

Active interaction of human A375 melanoma cells with the lymphatics in vivo

We have used the avian chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) to study the interaction of tumor cells with the lymphatics in vivo. The vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) has been shown to be lymphangiogenic. We have therefore grown VEGF-C-expressing human A375 melanoma cells on the CAM. These tumors induced numerous lymphatics at the invasive front, and compressed or destroyed VEGF receptor (R)-3-positive lymphatics were observed within the solid tumors. The lymphatics in the CAM and in the A375 melanomas could also be demonstrated with an antibody against Prox 1, a highly specific marker of lymphatic endothelial cells. Proliferation studies revealed a BrdU labeling index of 11.6% of the lymphatic endothelial cells in the tumors and at their margins. A great number of melanoma cells invaded the lymphatics. Such interactions were not observed with VEGF-C-negative Malme 3 M melanoma cells. Lymphangiogenesis was inhibited to some extent when A375 melanoma cells were transfected with cDNA encoding soluble VEGFR-3 (sflt4), and the BrdU labeling index of the lymphatics in these tumors was 3.9%. Invasion of lymphatics and growth of blood vascular capillaries were not inhibited by the transfection. Therefore, tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis seems to be dependent to some extent on VEGF-C/flt4 interactions, but invasion of lymphatics seems to be a distinct mechanism.

Molecular and cellular biology of avian somite development

Much of our understanding of early vertebrate embryogenesis derives from experimental work done with the chick embryo. Studies of the avian somite have played a key role in elucidating the developmental history of this important structure, the source of most muscle and bone in the organism. Here we review the development of the avian somite including morphological and molecular data on the origin of paraxial mesoderm, maturation of the segmental plate, specification and formation of somite compartments, and somite cell differentiation into cartilage and skeletal muscle.

Origin of the epaxial and hypaxial myotome in avian embryos

The myotome originates from the dermomyotome. Controversy surrounds the location of myotome precursor cells within the dermomyotome and their segregation from the dermomyotome. Here we addressed the problem of myotome formation by labeling dermomyotome cells using the quail-chick marking technique. We carried out five series of transplantation and replaced: (1) the medial third, (2) the intermediate third, (3) the lateral third, (4) the cranial half, (5) the caudal half of a thoracic dermomyotome. The grafting procedures were performed in HH-stages 15-17 of quail and chick embryos. The chimeras were reincubated for 2 days up to HH-stages 24-25. All of the grafted parts contributed to the myotome. The epaxial myotome is derived from the medial third of the dermomyotome, while the hypaxial myotome is formed by both the intermediate and lateral third of the dermomyotome. Ep- and hypaxial myotome domains meet in the thickest part of the myotome that is situated in the middle of its ventrolateral axis. Myotome growth in the epaxial domain begins earlier than in the hypaxial domain. Cranial and caudal edges of the dermomyotome contribute equally to both the epaxial and hypaxial myotomes. The first born myotome cells are located in the lateral part of the epaxial myotome and development then proceedes in medial and lateral directions.

Dual origin and segmental organisation of the avian scapula

Bones of the postcranial skeleton of higher vertebrates originate from either somitic mesoderm or somatopleural layer of the lateral plate mesoderm. Controversy surrounds the origin of the scapula, a major component of the shoulder girdle, with both somitic and lateral plate origins being proposed. Abnormal scapular development has been described in the naturally occurring undulated series of mouse mutants, which has implicated Pax1 in the formation of this bone. Here we addressed the development of the scapula, firstly, by analysing the relationship between Pax1 expression and chondrogenesis and, secondly, by determining the developmental origin of the scapula using chick quail chimeric analysis. We show the following. (1) The scapula develops in a rostral-to-caudal direction and overt chondrification is preceded by an accumulation of Pax1-expressing cells. (2) The scapular head and neck are of lateral plate mesodermal origin. (3) In contrast, the scapular blade is composed of somitic cells. (4) Unlike the Pax1-positive cells of the vertebral column, which are of sclerotomal origin, the Pax1-positive cells of the scapular blade originate from the dermomyotome. (5) Finally, we show that cells of the scapular blade are organised into spatially restricted domains along its rostrocaudal axis in the same order as the somites from which they originated. Our results imply that the scapular blade is an ossifying muscular insertion rather than an original skeletal element, and that the scapular head and neck are homologous to the ‘true coracoid’ of higher vertebrates.

Elevated expression of hormone-regulated rat hepatocyte functions in a new serum-free hepatocyte-stromal cell coculture model

The specific performance of the adult hepatic parenchymal cell is maintained and controlled by factors deriving from the stromal bed; the chemical nature of these factors is unknown. This study aimed to develop a serum-free hierarchical hepatocyte-nonparenchymal (stromal) cell coculture system. Hepatic stromal cells proliferated on crosslinked collagen in serum-free medium with epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and hepatocyte-conditioned medium; cell type composition changed during the 2-wk culture period. During the first wk, the culture consisted of proliferating sinusoidal endothelial cells with well-preserved sieve plates, proliferating hepatic stellate cells, and partially activated Kupffer cells. The number of endothelial cells declined thereafter; stellate cells and Kupffer cells became the prominent cell types after 8 d. Hepatocytes were seeded onto stromal cells precultured for 4-14 d; they adhered to stellate and Kupffer cells, but spared the islands of endothelial cells. Stellate cells spread out on top of the hepatocytes; Kupffer cell extensions established multiple contacts to hepatocytes and stellate cells. Hepatocyte viability was maintained by coculture; the positive influence of stromal cell signals on hepatocyte differentiation became evident after 48 h; a strong improvement of cell responsiveness toward hormones could be observed in cocultured hepatocytes. Hierarchial hepatocyte coculture enhanced the glucagon-dependent increases in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) content three- and twofold, respectively; glucagon-activated urea production was elevated twofold. Coculturing also stimulated glycogen deposition; basal synthesis was increased by 30% and the responsiveness toward insulin and glucose was elevated by 100 and 55%, respectively. The insulin-dependent rise in the glucokinase mRNA content was increased twofold in cocultured hepatocytes. It can be concluded that long-term signals from stromal cells maintain hepatocyte differentiation. This coculture model should, therefore, provide the technical basis for the investigation of stroma-derived differentiation factors.

An avian model for studies of embryonic lymphangiogenesis

Embryonic development of lymphatics (lymphangiogenesis) in recent years has rarely been studied experimentally. Using an avian model, we showed that both intra- and extra-embryonic blood vessels of chick and quail embryos are accompanied by lymphatics. The lymphatics of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) are drained by lymphatic trunks of the umbilicus and are connected to the posterior lymph hearts. Intra-embryonic lymphatics are drained via paired thoracic ducts into the jugulo-subclavian junction. The lymphatic endothelial cells are characterized by the expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptors (VEGFR) -2 and -3. Application of VEGF-C, the ligand of these two receptors, on the differentiated CAM, induces proliferation of lymphatic endothelial cells and formation of huge lymphatic sinuses. These lymphatics derive from pre-existing lymphatic endothelial cells, whereas, in early embryos lymphangioblasts are present in the mesenchyme. This phenomenon can be demonstrated by interspecific grafting experiments between chick and quail embryos. Together with the early lymph sacs, the lymphangioblasts form the embryonic lymphatic system. Our studies demonstrate the importance of lymphangioblasts and lymphangiogenic growth factors in embryonic lymphangiogenesis.

The development of the avian vertebral column

Segmentation of the paraxial mesoderm leads to somite formation. The underlying molecular mechanisms involve the oscillation of "clock-genes" like c-hairy-1 and lunatic fringe indicative of an implication of the Notch signaling pathway. The cranio-caudal polarity of each segment is already established in the cranial part of the segmental plate and accompanied by the expression of genes like Delta1, Mesp1, Mesp2, Ulicx-1, and EphA4 which are restricted to one half of the prospective somite. Dorsoventral compartmentalization of somites leads to the development of the dermomyotome and the sclerotome, the latter forming as a consequence of an epithelio-to-mesenchymal transition of the ventral part of the somite. The sclerotome cells express Pax-1 and Pax-9, which are induced by notochordal signals mediated by sonic hedgehog (Shh) and noggin. The craniocaudal somite compartmentalization that becomes visible in the sclerotomes is the prerequisite for the segmental pattern of the peripheral nervous system and the formation of the vertebrae and ribs, whose boundaries are shifted half a segment compared to the sclerotome boundaries. Sclerotome development is characterized by the formation of three subcompartments giving rise to different parts of the axial skeleton and ribs. The lateral sclerotome gives rise to the laminae and pedicles of the neural arches and to the ribs. Its development depends on signals from the notochord and the myotome. The ventral sclerotome giving rise to the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs is made up of Pax-1 expressing cells that have invaded the perinotochordal space. The dorsal sclerotome is formed by cells that migrate from the dorso-medial angle of the sclerotome into the space between the roof plate of the neural tube and the dermis. These cells express the genes Msx1 and Msx2, which are induced by BMP-4 secreted from the roof plate, and they later form the dorsal part of the neural arch and the spinous process. The formation of the ventral and dorsal sclerotome requires directed migration of sclerotome cells. The regionalization of the paraxial mesoderm occurs by a combination of functionally Hox genes, the Hox code, and determines the segment identity. The development of the vertebral column is a consequence of a segment-specific balance between proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of cells.

New experimental evidence for somite resegmentation

According to the concept of resegmentation, the boundaries of vertebrae are shifted one half a segment compared with somite boundaries. This theory has been experimentally confirmed by interspecific transplantations of single somites. Due to the difficulty of exactly orientating individual somites in the host embryo, the outcome and interpretations of these experiments have occasionally been questioned. This is especially true for the formation of neural arches, their processes, and the ribs. We reinvestigated the formation of vertebrae in the avian embryo by grafting one and one half somites from quail to chick embryos. This method eliminates the possibility of a wrong somite orientation in the host embryo. Results show that the vertebral body, the neural arch and its processes are made up of material of two adjacent somites. This is also true for the rib, with the exception of the costal head, which is formed by only one somite. Whereas in the proximal part of the costal body the chick and quail cell regions border on each other in the middle of the rib, in its distal part quail cells gradually begin to mix with chick cells. The intersegmental muscles and their skeletal attachments sites are formed from the same somite. These results support and complete the data of previous studies and confirm the resegmentation concept.

Hyaluronan in the nuchal skin of chromosomally abnormal fetuses

Nuchal skin oedema at 10-14 weeks gestation, observed by ultrasonography as increased nuchal translucency (NT), is found in approximately 70% of fetuses with trisomies 21, 18 and 13 as well as those with Turner's syndrome. This study investigates the possibility that one mechanism for increased translucency is an altered composition of the skin with a higher concentration of hyaluronan; large amounts of hyaluronan can lead to excessive hydration of the extracellular matrix. We isolated the hyaluronic acid binding region (HABR) from aggrecan in the extracellular matrix of hyaline cartilage and used it in a biotinylated form in combination with a fluorescent probe as a marker for hyaluronan. Immunohistochemistry was then used to examine the nuchal skin of chromosomally abnormal and normal fetuses, obtained after termination of pregnancy. In fetuses with trisomy 21 there was a substantial increase in hyaluronan, whereas in trisomies 18 and 13 and Turner's syndrome the amount was similar to that in chromosomally normal controls. This finding suggests that hyaluronan may be implicated in the pathogenesis of increased NT in fetuses with trisomy 21, but the common phenotypic expression of increased translucency in different chromosomal abnormalities may be the consequence of other mechanisms.

The lymphatic endothelium of the avian wing is of somitic origin

It has recently been shown that there are lymphangioblasts in the early avian wing bud, but fate map studies on the origin of these cells have not yet been performed. The lymphatics in the wings of 10-day-old chick and quail embryos are characterized by both the position along with all major blood vascular routes and by the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) expression. In the quail, the endothelium of both blood vessels and lymphatics can be marked with the QH1 antibody. We have grafted the dorsal halves of epithelial somites of 2-day-old quail embryos homotopically into chick embryos. The grafting was performed at the wing level and the host embryos were reincubated until day 10. The chimeric wings were studied with the QH1 antibody alone and with double staining consisting of VEGFR-3 in situ hybridization and QH1 immunofluorescence. Our results show that in the wing the endothelium of both the blood vessels and the lymphatics is derived from the somites. QH1-positive endothelial cells form the vasculature of the chimeric wings. Chimeric lymphatics of the wing can be identified because of their typical position and their VEGFR-3 and QH1 double-positivity. This shows that not only the blood vascular cells but also the lymphatic endothelial cells of the avian wing are born in the paraxial/somitic mesoderm.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase C contribute to the inhibition by interleukin 6 of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene expression in cultured rat hepatocytes

The participation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase), protein kinase C, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP-kinase) in the inhibition by interleukin 6 (IL-6) and insulin of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK) gene expression was investigated in cultured rat hepatocytes. IL-6 or insulin inhibited the glucagon-stimulated increase in PCK messenger RNA (mRNA) by about 70%. In the presence of either the PI3-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin, or the protein kinase C inhibitor, GF109203x, the inhibition by IL-6 was only about 40%, although it was abolished with both inhibitors in combination. Wortmannin alone but not GF109203x prevented the inhibition by insulin of glucagon-stimulated PCK gene expression. The MAP-kinase pathway inhibitor, PD98059, did not affect IL-6 or insulin inhibition of PCK mRNA increase. When chlorophenylthio-cyclic 3',5' adenosine monophosphate (CPT-cAMP) was used instead of glucagon, IL-6 or insulin inhibited the increase in PCK mRNA by 75% and 85%, respectively. The inhibition by IL-6 was only about 50% in the presence of either wortmannin or GF109203x alone but was abolished with the combination of both inhibitors. The inhibition by insulin was only about 50% in the presence of GF109203x and was abolished by wortmannin. The inhibitors did not affect the inhibition by IL-6 or insulin of the glucagon-stimulated increase in cAMP. It is concluded that the inhibition by IL-6 of PCK gene expression involved both PI3-kinase and protein kinase C, whereas the inhibition by insulin required only PI3-kinase. The inhibition occurred downstream from cAMP formation. Hence, IL-6 and insulin may share, in part, common signal transduction pathways in the inhibition of PCK gene expression.

Sclerotomal origin of the ribs

The somites of vertebrate embryos give rise to sclerotomes and dermomyotomes. The sclerotomes form the axial skeleton, whereas the dermomyotomes give rise to all trunk muscles and the dermis of the back. The ribs were thought to be ventral processes of the axial skeleton and therefore to be derived from the sclerotomes; however, recently a dermomyotomal origin of the distal rib (the costal shaft) was suggested, with only the proximal parts (head and neck of the rib) being of sclerotomal origin. We have re-investigated the development of the ribs in quail-chick chimeras and carried out three experimental series. (1) Single dermomyotomes and (2) single sclerotomes were grafted homotopically, and (3) the ectoderm overlying the unsegmented paraxial mesoderm was removed in the prospective thoracic region. We found that the cells of the dermomyotome gave rise to epaxial and hypaxial trunk muscles, dermis of the back and endothelial cells, but not to ribs. Cells of the sclerotome formed the axial skeleton and all parts of the ribs. Ablation of the ectoderm, which affects dermomyotome development, results in severe malformations of the ribs, probably due to disturbed interactions between dermomyotome and sclerotome. Our results strongly confirm the traditional view of the sclerotomal origin of the ribs.

Induction of the blood-brain barrier marker neurothelin/HT7 in endothelial cells by a variety of tumors in chick embryos

Neurothelin/HT7, a transmembrane glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is a marker of blood-brain barrier (BBB)-forming endothelial cells. We have studied the expression of neurothelin in tumors grown on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chick embryos. We inoculated each 3-5 x 10(6) rat C6 glioma, rat 10AS pancreatic carcinoma, human A375 melanoma, and human mammary duct adenoma cells on the CAM of 10-day-old chick embryos. The tumors were harvested on day 17. All four tumor cell lines formed solid tumors which were supplied by vessels of CAM origin. Foci of bleeding were regularly observed within the tumors. All four tumors induced the expression of neurothelin/HT7 (but not of glucose transporter-1) in tumor endothelial cells, whereas expression in adjacent endothelial cells of normal CAM did not occur. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that the pattern of neurothelin expression in tumor endothelial cells was different from that in normal central nervous system (CNS) endothelium, but the relative molecular weight of neurothelin, studied by western blot analysis, was the same in brain and in tumors. It has been shown that, with increasing malignancy, vessels of CNS tumors lose their morphological characteristics, and BBB markers such as the glucose transporter-1 are downregulated. Our results show that, in contrast, the BBB marker, neurothelin, is expressed de novo in tumor endothelial cells. Potential common functions of neurothelin in endothelial cells of the CNS and tumors are discussed.

Evolution and development of distinct cell lineages derived from somites

In the vertebrate embryo, the somites arise from the paraxial mesoderm as paired mesodermal units in a craniocaudal sequence. Segmentation is also the underlying principle of the body plan in annelids and arthropods. Genes controlling segmentation have been identified that are highly conserved in organisms belonging to different phyla. Segmentation facilitates movement and regionalization of the vertebrate body. Its traces in humans are, for example, vertebral bodies, intervertebral disks, ribs, and spinal nerves. Somite research has a history of at least three centuries. Detailed morphological data have accumulated on the development of the avian somite. Especially in connection with the quailchick interspecific marker system, progress was made toward an understanding of underlying mechanisms. At first each somite consists of an outer epithelium and a mesenchymal core. Later, the ventral portion of the somite undergoes de-epithelialization and gives rise to the sclerotome, whereas the dorsal portion forms the dermomyotome. The dermomyotome is the source of myotomal muscle cells and the dermis of the back. It also yields the hypaxial muscle buds at flank level and the myogenic cells invading the limb buds. The dorsal and ventral somitic domains express different sets of developmental control genes, for example, those of the Pax family. During later stages of development, the sclerotomes undergo a new arrangement called "resegmentation" leading to the fusion of the caudal half of one sclerotome with the cranial half of the following sclerotome. Further somitic derivatives include fibroblasts, smooth muscle, and endothelial cells. While sclerotome formation is controlled by the notochord, signals from the dorsal neural tube and ectoderm support the development of the dermomyotome. Myogenic precursor cells for the limb bud are recruited from the dermomyotome by the interaction of c-met with its ligand scatter factor (SF/HGF). In the evolution of metamerism in vertebrates, the first skeletal elements were primitive parts of neural arches, while axial elements developed only later in teleosts as pleurocentra and hypocentra.

Lymphangioblasts in the avian wing bud

The development of the lymphatics has not yet been studied experimentally. Descriptive studies could not answer the question whether the lymphatics are exclusively derived by sprouts of the early embryonic lymph sacs, or whether lymphangioblasts in the mesenchyme contribute to the lymphatic system. We have studied the development of the lymphatics in quail-chick chimeras. In 6.5-day-old quail embryos, the endothelium of the jugulo-axillary lymph sac can be demonstrated with the QH1 antibody. In contrast to the jugular vein and the aorta, the lymph sac is irregularly shaped and does not possess a media of smooth muscle cells, and, the lymph sac endothelium starts to express the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3). Cells of the quail paraxial mesoderm grafted into chick embryos integrate into the endothelium of the jugular lymph sac, strongly indicating the existence of lymphangioblasts. In the wing of 10-day-old quail embryos, VEGFR-3-positive lymphatics are accompanying all major blood vascular routes. On day 3.5 of development, that is about one day before the first occurrence of the jugulo-axillary lymph sac, we grafted distal wing buds of chick embryos homotopically into quail embryos. The chimeric wings were analyzed on day 10. The VEGFR-3 and QH1 double staining revealed that the lymphatics were formed by both chick and quail endothelial cells. This result shows that the lymphatics of the wing do not exclusively develop from sprouts of the lymph sacs, but also by recruitment of local lymphangioblasts.

Macrowell cultures identify a subpopulation of neonatal rat dorsal root ganglionic neurons displaying nerve growth factor independent survival

Dorsal root ganglionic (DRG) neurons of the newborn rat in vitro die by apoptosis within 24-48 h unless nerve growth factor (NGF) is added. Using a novel cell culture system (macrowell), we identified a neuronal subpopulation displaying NGF-independent survival in vitro. Neurons were grown on glass coverslips at standard cell density in different volumes of defined medium (standard: 500 microl; macrowell: 10 ml). In standard culture, 40% of neurons survived in the presence of NGF whereas there was no survival under control conditions. In macrowell culture, however, about 15% of neurons survived even in the absence of NGF. Addition of NGF to these cultures increased survival up to 65%. Neurons surviving independent of NGF in macrowell culture were heterogeneous in size and were lacking the low-affinity NGF receptor.

SF/HGF is a mediator between limb patterning and muscle development

Scatter factor/hepatocyte growth factor (SF/HGF) is known to be involved in the detachment of myogenic precursor cells from the lateral dermomyotomes and their subsequent migration into the newly formed limb buds. As yet, however, nothing has been known about the role of the persistent expression of SF/HGF in the limb bud mesenchyme during later stages of limb bud development. To test for a potential role of SF/HGF in early limb muscle patterning, we examined the regulation of SF/HGF expression in the limb bud as well as the influence of SF/HGF on direction control of myogenic precursor cells in limb bud mesenchyme. We demonstrate that SF/HGF expression is controlled by signals involved in limb bud patterning. In the absence of an apical ectodermal ridge (AER), no expression of SF/HGF in the limb bud is observed. However, FGF-2 application can rescue SF/HGF expression. Excision of the zone of polarizing activity (ZPA) results in ectopic and enhanced SF/HGF expression in the posterior limb bud mesenchyme. We could identify BMP-2 as a potential inhibitor of SF/HGF expression in the posterior limb bud mesenchyme. We further demonstrate that ZPA excision results in a shift of Pax-3-positive cells towards the posterior limb bud mesenchyme, indicating a role of the ZPA in positioning of the premuscle masses. Moreover, we present evidence that, in the limb bud mesenchyme, SF/HGF increases the motility of myogenic precursor cells and has a role in maintaining their undifferentiated state during migration. We present a model for a crucial role of SF/HGF during migration and early patterning of muscle precursor cells in the vertebrate limb.

The monoclonal antibody 23E9 defines a novel developmentally-regulated Schwann cell surface antigen

The present study describes the identification and partial characterization of a novel Schwann cell surface molecule by means of a monoclonal antibody (23E9). The 23E9 antigen was found in association with Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve but not with sensory neurons and satellite cells of the dorsal root ganglion. The expression of the antigen in the sciatic nerve starts after birth, is high around postnatal day 8 and becomes down-regulated towards the adult stage. This suggests that it may be involved in the induction of myelin formation. On Western blots, the antibody identified two major bands of approximately 27 and 42 kDa. Treatment of cultured Schwann cells with forskolin, an agent known to mimic neuronal contact in vitro, stimulated the up-regulation of the antigen. This implies that the expression of 23E9 is induced and maintained by axon-derived signals in vivo. Comparison of the presented data with the literature suggests that we have identified a novel cell surface molecule not previously characterized in the context of Schwann cell biology. To clarify the molecular identity of the antigen and define its physiological relevance, the antibody will be used in future studies for immunoprecipitation and functional in vitro assays.