The extracellular matrix: a dynamic component of the developing embryo

Functional Morphology of the Cardiac Jelly in the Tubular Heart of Vertebrate Embryos

The early embryonic heart is a multi-layered tube consisting of (1) an outer myocardial tube; (2) an inner endocardial tube; and (3) an extracellular matrix layer interposed between the myocardium and endocardium, called "cardiac jelly" (CJ). During the past decades, research on CJ has mainly focused on its molecular and cellular biological aspects. This review focuses on the morphological and biomechanical aspects of CJ. Special attention is given to (1) the spatial distribution and fiber architecture of CJ; (2) the morphological dynamics of CJ during the cardiac cycle; and (3) the removal/remodeling of CJ during advanced heart looping stages, which leads to the formation of ventricular trabeculations and endocardial cushions. CJ acts as a hydraulic skeleton, displaying striking structural and functional similarities with the mesoglea of jellyfish. CJ not only represents a filler substance, facilitating end-systolic occlusion of the embryonic heart lumen. Its elastic components antagonize the systolic deformations of the heart wall and thereby power the refilling phase of the ventricular tube. Non-uniform spatial distribution of CJ generates non-circular cross sections of the opened endocardial tube (initially elliptic, later deltoid), which seem to be advantageous for valveless pumping. Endocardial cushions/ridges are cellularized remnants of non-removed CJ.

The pathogenesis of atrial and atrioventricular septal defects with special emphasis on the role of the dorsal mesenchymal protrusion

Partitioning of the four-chambered heart requires the proper formation, interaction and fusion of several mesenchymal tissues derived from different precursor populations that together form the atrioventricular mesenchymal complex. This includes the major endocardial cushions and the mesenchymal cap of the septum primum, which are of endocardial origin, and the dorsal mesenchymal protrusion (DMP), which is derived from the Second Heart Field. Failure of these structures to develop and/or fully mature results in atrial septal defects (ASDs) and atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD). AVSDs are congenital malformations in which the atria are permitted to communicate due to defective septation between the inferior margin of the septum primum and the atrial surface of the common atrioventricular valve. The clinical presentation of AVSDs is variable and depends on both the size and/or type of defect; less severe defects may be asymptomatic while the most severe defect, if untreated, results in infantile heart failure. For many years, maldevelopment of the endocardial cushions was thought to be the sole etiology of AVSDs. More recent work, however, has demonstrated that perturbation of DMP development also results in AVSD. Here, we discuss in detail the formation of the DMP, its contribution to cardiac septation and describe the morphological features as well as potential etiologies of ASDs and AVSDs.

Cell Biology of Cardiac Cushion Development

The valves of the heart develop in the embryo from precursor structures called endocardial cushions. After cardiac looping, endocardial cushion swellings form and become populated by valve precursor cells formed by an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Endocardial cushions subsequently undergo directed growth and remodeling to form the valvular structures and the membranous septa of the mature heart. The developmental processes that mediate cushion formation include many prototypic cellular actions including adhesion, signaling, migration, secretion, replication, differentiation, and apoptosis. Cushion morphogenesis is unique in that these cellular possesses occur in a functioning organ where the cushions act as valves even while developing into definitive valvular structures. Cardiovascular defects are the most common congenital defects, and one of the most common causes of death during infancy. Thus, there is significant interest in understanding the mechanisms that underlie this complex developmental process. In this regard, substantial progress has been made by incorporating an understanding of cardiac morphology and cell biology with the rapidly expanding repertoire of molecular mechanisms gained through human genetics and research using animal models. This article reviews cardiac morphogenesis as it relates to heart valve formation and highlights selected growth factors, intracellular signaling mediators, and extracellular matrix components involved in the creation and remodeling of endocardial cushions into mature cardiac structures.

Adhesion molecules in neural crest development

Peripheral nerve cells, various endocrine and pigment cells and cranial connective tissue cells of vertebrates stem mainly from the embryonic neural crest. This originates with the central nervous system, but the crest cells detach from this tissue, via a decrease of cell-cell adhesion involving, particularly, a reduction of the adherens junction cell adhesive molecule A-CAM. This epithelio-mesenchymal transformation allows crest cells to migrate along pathways that are defined partly by the distribution of substrate adhesion molecules, the archetype being fibronectin, an extracellular matrix molecule recognized by integrin receptors on crest cells. Many other molecules, however, may act in the same way. In contrast, some molecules may define migration pathways by reducing adhesion; chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan is a candidate for this role. Pathway selection is most likely achieved by balanced combinations of molecules that promote and reduce adhesion. Cessation of migration, in the case of the nervous ganglia, correlated with re-expression of cell-cell adhesion molecules like A-CAM and others, consistent with an adhesive basis, although functional tests have not yet been performed. The development of the neural crest system provides a useful model that emphasizes the role of adhesion in morphogenesis.

Ontogeny of hyaluronan secretion during early mouse development

The ontogeny of hyaluronan (HA) secretion during early mouse embryogenesis has been investigated using a biotin-labelled HA-binding complex from cartilage proteoglycan. HA is first secreted by visceral endoderm cells of the early egg cylinder on day 5.5 post coitum (p.c.), predominantly into the expanding yolk cavity. On day 6.5 p.c., HA is present in both the yolk and proamniotic cavities, but pericellular staining is restricted to the visceral endoderm and a population of embryonic ectoderm cells at the antimesometrial end of the proamniotic cavity. By the primitive streak stage, HA is secreted into the ectoplacental, exocoelomic, amniotic and yolk cavities, whilst the only cells exhibiting pericellular staining are those of the embryonic and extraembryonic mesoderm, including the allantois. Comparisons of HA-staining patterns of cultured whole blastocysts, microdissected trophectoderm fragments and immunosurgically isolated inner cell masses, revealed no trophoblast-associated HA secretion during outgrowth in vitro but significant synthetic activity by the endodermal derivatives of differentiating inner cell masses. To identify the cell lineages responsible for secretion of HA into the embryonic cavities and to investigate the origin of the HA observed around migrating mesoderm cells, day 7.5 p.c. primitive streak stage conceptuses were dissected into their various embryonic and extraembryonic cell lineages. HA secretion was observed after short-term suspension culture of mesoderm, embryonic ectoderm and embryonic endoderm, but was undetectable in fragments of ectoplacental cone, parietal yolk sac (primary giant trophoblast and parietal endoderm), extraembryonic ectoderm or extraembryonic endoderm. The level of synthesis by the HA-positive tissues was markedly enhanced by culture in medium containing serum, compared with that obtained following culture in medium supplemented with a defined serum substitute containing insulin, transferrin, selenous acid and linoleic acid. This suggests that additional growth factors, present in serum but absent from the serum substitute, are required for optimal HA synthesis by the HA-secreting tissues in vitro, and probably also in vivo. The implications of these events for implantation and the development of peri- and early post-implantation mouse embryos are discussed, and a new role for HA in the initial formation and expansion of the embryonic cavities is proposed.

Ethanol treatment induces a delayed segmentation anomaly in the chick embryo

A repeatable somite anomaly is described that results from the incubation of cultured chick embryos in the presence of ethanol. The anomaly comprises a misalignment of approximately five consecutive pairs of somites such that one of each pair is displaced cranially by up to one-half a somite length. The appearance of the malformation is delayed by approximately six somite pairs after the beginning of treatment. These characteristics were shared by embryos treated at the stage of gastrulation (no somites yet present) up to embryos possessing ten pairs of somites at treatment time. The deleterious effect did not appear to result from a disruption in the mechanics of the segmentation process itself, since isolated segmental plates were able to form normal intersomitic clefts in the presence of ethanol. Similarly, there were apparently no alterations in the compaction process that occurs at the cranial end of the segmental plate, since both the contractile and adhesive components were unaffected, as judged by the distributions of actin and fibronectin. The potential mechanisms of the anomaly are discussed with reference to similar segmental defects produced by heat shock. In view of earlier results indicating that cells in the primitive streak at gastrulation are sensitive to the presence of ethanol, it is proposed that this somite anomaly is due to a disruption in the contribution of these mesoderm cells to the segmental plate.

Heart anatomy and developmental biology

The subject of heart development has attracted the interest of many embryologists over the last two centuries. As a result, the main morphologic features of the developmental anatomy of the heart are already well established. Although there are still some controversial points, and there is probably much descriptive work yet to be done, emphasis is currently being placed on developmental mechanisms rather than simply on descriptive facts. The availability of new techniques and the overall advances in biological research are placing heart embryology in a new perspective. Today, we do not simply ask whether one or another embryonic structure arises further right or further left; instead, we are studying how cells, tissues, and their microenvironment interrelate at the several levels of biological organization (from the gene upwards) so as to give rise to a mature organ with a distinct shape and well-established functions. This paper attempts to review some of the basic aspects of the developmental anatomy of the heart. Descriptive embryology is used here as a tool. Emphasis is placed on developmental mechanisms, and on the present knowledge of how these mechanisms are related to the structural development of the heart.

Ultrastructural localization of heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfates associated with granulopoiesis in embryonic chick bone marrow

Sulfated glycoconjugates were ultrastructurally localized within embryonic chick marrow by using the high iron diamine-silver proteinate stain. Stain was concentrated in the extravascular, granulopoietic compartment, indicating that granulopoiesis, but not erythropoiesis, proceeded in a highly sulfated environment. It was likely that most of the stainable material represented sulfated proteoglycans since staining was abrogated by predigesting tissue with enzymes and other treatments known to degrade specific glycosaminoglycan chains. Chondroitinase/hyaluronidase digestion resulted in the removal of most of the stainable material associated with the extracellular matrix and a portion of the stainable material associated with fibroblastic cell surfaces. Unaffected material lay in close proximity to fibroblastic cell membranes. Heparitinase/heparinase digestion had essentially the opposite effect. Sulfated material associated with matrix components was largely unaffected, but the fibroblastic plasmalemmal material was now absent. These results suggest that there are at least two categories of sulfated proteoglycans in the granulopoietic compartment, each differentially distributed. The plasmalemmal material likely represented heparan sulfate which in this tissue appeared to be associated in a uniform layer with fibroblastic stromal cell membranes and not with blood or endothelial cell membranes. Material identified as chondroitin sulfates was found within patches of amorphous matrix that was located on fibroblastic stromal cell surfaces and that was interspersed with fibrils in the extracellular matrix. Chondroitin sulfates were sparsely distributed on granulocytic cell surfaces.

Histological analysis of limb regeneration in postmetamorphic adult Ambystoma

Previous investigation into the regenerative ability of postmetamorphic adult land phase Ambystoma has revealed that these species have the capacity to completely regenerate a limb, given optimal environmental conditions, and the gross morphological characteristics of limb regeneration in these species compared favorably with the external regeneration morphology of aquatic phase forms. The present study concerns a histological and histochemical examination of the regenerating limb tissues and their respective extracellular and intracellular tissue matrices. Postmetamorphic adult Ambystoma were amputated through the forearm, placed within optimal environmental conditions, and allowed to regenerate. The tissues were harvested at designated intervals after amputation and prepared for light microscopic examination. The limb tissues were assayed histologically for similarities to and differences from previously established regeneration morphologies. It was noted that specific correlations (i.e., apical epidermal cap formation, but outgrowth and elongation, palette formation, and digit formation) existed between regeneration histologies in these species and those previously reported for the aquatic urodeles, newt, axolotl, and larval salamander. By utilizing the histological and histochemical characteristics of the tissue, the regenerate limb was divided into five tissue units: epidermal, blastemal, soft, hard, and neuro/vascular. Based on the unique morphology of their extracellular matrices and respective histochemical staining patterns, four distinct blastemal regions were delineated within the blastemal units: subregenerate epidermal blastema, soft-tissue blastema, hard-tissue blastema, and core blastema. Histochemically, changing patterns of highly sulfated, weakly sulfated, and carboxylated polysaccharides and glycosylated compounds were located within both the extra- and intracellular stump and regenerate tissue matrices during regeneration. In addition, these patterns of intra- and extracellular macromolecular material correlated to previous reports of similar-type compounds assayed during regeneration in aquatic urodeles. With this in mind, the adult land phase Ambystoma can be considered an appropriate model system for studies concerning normal limb regeneration.

Transfer of extracellular matrix components between germ layers in chimaeric chicken-quail blastoderms

A chemical basis for the transmission of signals during gastrulation has been investigated by using chimaeric embryos resulting from the combination of 3H-glucosamine-labelled and unlabelled hypoblast with epiblast taken from chicken and quail embryos at stage 3 of Vakaet (1970). The ability to distinguish chicken from quail cells on the basis of their different nuclear distribution of heterochromatin after Feulgen staining made it possible to determine the origin of the cells in the chimaerae. Tritiated quail hypoblast (after incubation of the embryo in the presence of 3H-glucosamine) was transplanted onto unlabelled chicken blastoderm deprived of its hypoblast. After culture of the chimaera for 5 h, the autoradiographic pattern shows silver grains not only over the graft, but also at the ventral surface of the epiblast of the host. Transfer of label may occur to mesoblast cells, but not between chicken and quail hypoblast cells. Chase experiments exclude the possibility that unprocessed, tritiated glucosamine is transferred. Chemical fixation of the host before transplantation of a labelled quail hypoblast also allows visualization of a transfer of macromolecules from hypoblast to the basement membrane of the epiblast, suggesting that an intervention of the epiblast cells in this process is not necessary. The morphology of the chimaeric embryos, as studied by scanning electron microscopy, suggests a direct deposition of these macromolecules by filopodia of the dorsal surface of the hypoblast. The possibility of diffusion of free macromolecules has been considered and can reasonably be discarded on the basis of several observations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Histochemical localization of glycosaminoglycans during morphogenesis of the secondary palate in mice

The hydration of hyaluronic acid (HA) accumulated in the secondary palatal processes is expected to exert an intrinsic tissue pressure that could, in part, provide the impetus for shelf reorientation. Glycosaminoglycans were histochemically localized in the A/J mouse palate during development (days 12 to 15) by specific enzymatic degradation followed by preferential staining with alcian blue under differential pH or MgCl2 concentration. The presence of HA and chondroitin sulphates A and C (CS) was demonstrated in proportions that differed regionally. At the time of reorientation (days 14 to 15) HA was the predominant staining component, being distributed according to the relative prominence of extracellular spaces (ECS). HA was present in higher concentration in the anterior than the posterior part of the palate, particularly in an area of low cell density adjoining the CS-rich mesenchyme of the maxillary process. This arrangement suggests that the maxillary process might provide a resilient incompressible structural base for the palate as its HA-rich ECS expands. Sulphated GAG, with CS being the predominant component, was localized for the most part on the oral-side mesenchyme both in the anterior and posterior palate. The most intense staining of sulphated proteoglycans occurred in association with the basal lamina along the presumptive oral-side. Mesenchymal cells along this region appeared condensed and may have been stabilized by these sulphated GAG providing structural constraints which might function in palate morphogenesis.

Expression of type I and III collagen genes during differentiation of embryonic chicken myoblasts in culture

Expression of type I and III procollagen genes was studied in embryonic chicken myoblast cell cultures, obtained from thigh muscles of 11-day-old embryos. Differentiation initiated by the addition of ovotransferrin (30 micrograms/ml) was followed visually by phase-contrast microscopy. Myoblast fusion and myotube formation were detected by day 3 and appeared to be complete by day 7. The synthesis of procollagens was monitored by labeling cell cultures for 1 h with [3H]proline and determining the radioactivity in procollagen chains by scanning densitometry of the fluorograms of the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. A 10- to 20-fold increase in the rate of pro alpha-1(I), pro alpha-2(I), and pro alpha-1(III) collagen synthesis was observed, with the greatest increase occurring between days 3 and 9. Collagen mRNA levels in the myoblast cultures were examined by Northern blot and dot blot hybridization assays. The 10- to 20-fold increased rate of protein synthesis was accompanied by a 15-fold increase in the steady-state levels of pro alpha-1(I) and pro alpha-2(I) mRNAs and a 10-fold increase in the steady-state levels of pro alpha-1(III). As a correlate to the studies of collagen expression during myoblast differentiation, the expression of actin mRNAs was examined. Although alpha actin could be detected by day 4, a complete switch from lambda and beta to alpha actin was not observed in the time periods examined. Similar results were obtained in the analysis of RNA extracted from embryonic legs at days 12 and 17 of gestation. Myoblast differentiation is manifested by the accumulation of both muscle-specific mRNAs, such as actin, and type I and III procollagen mRNAs.

Expression of type I and III collagen genes during differentiation of embryonic chicken myoblasts in culture

Expression of type I and III procollagen genes was studied in embryonic chicken myoblast cell cultures, obtained from thigh muscles of 11-day-old embryos. Differentiation initiated by the addition of ovotransferrin (30 micrograms/ml) was followed visually by phase-contrast microscopy. Myoblast fusion and myotube formation were detected by day 3 and appeared to be complete by day 7. The synthesis of procollagens was monitored by labeling cell cultures for 1 h with [3H]proline and determining the radioactivity in procollagen chains by scanning densitometry of the fluorograms of the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. A 10- to 20-fold increase in the rate of pro alpha-1(I), pro alpha-2(I), and pro alpha-1(III) collagen synthesis was observed, with the greatest increase occurring between days 3 and 9. Collagen mRNA levels in the myoblast cultures were examined by Northern blot and dot blot hybridization assays. The 10- to 20-fold increased rate of protein synthesis was accompanied by a 15-fold increase in the steady-state levels of pro alpha-1(I) and pro alpha-2(I) mRNAs and a 10-fold increase in the steady-state levels of pro alpha-1(III). As a correlate to the studies of collagen expression during myoblast differentiation, the expression of actin mRNAs was examined. Although alpha actin could be detected by day 4, a complete switch from lambda and beta to alpha actin was not observed in the time periods examined. Similar results were obtained in the analysis of RNA extracted from embryonic legs at days 12 and 17 of gestation. Myoblast differentiation is manifested by the accumulation of both muscle-specific mRNAs, such as actin, and type I and III procollagen mRNAs.

A simple model for early morphogenesis

Despite the large amount of knowledge which continues to accumulate about early developmental events, very little is known about the processes which control them. Part of the problem may lie in that workers applying different approaches and techniques have different points of view and appear to be reluctant to read each others' literature. My aim in this paper is not to give a generative, formal model for early development, but rather to suggest several connecting strands between the physiological, biochemical, cell biological and experimental embryological approaches which may stimulate new research in fields between those already exploited.

An indirect immunofluorescence study of the distribution of fibronectin during the formation of the cushion tissue mesenchyme in the embryonic heart

Indirect immunofluorescence studies have localized fibronectin (FN) within the trunco-conal ridges of the chick embryo heart during the formation of the cushion tissue mesenchyme. Prior to cell migration into the endocardial pads, fluorescence for FN is demonstrated almost entirely in association with the basal surfaces of endocardium and myocardium. Scattered spots and thin dotted-strands of fluorescent material can be demonstrated in the cardiac jelly. Cushion tissue (CT) cells migrating into the cardiac jelly have patches of fluorescent material associated with their surfaces. Filopodial processes always show intense fluorescence. The close association between the fluorescence and the surface of the CT cells suggests that FN may be implicated in the interaction of these cells with the matrical components of the cardiac jelly and, therefore, in the process of cell migration into the endocardial pads. The intensity and amount of FN staining decreased concomitantly with the progressive accumulation of cells in the cushion areas. After the completion of CT cell migration only reduced amounts of faint fluorescence remained in the endocardial pad areas. The possible significance of the changes observed in the distribution of FN during the formation of the cushion tissue mesenchyme is discussed.

Demonstration of the interaction between glycosaminoglycans and fibronectin in the basement membrane of the living chicken embryo

A method utilizing microinjection of glycosaminoglycan-degrading enzymes in the chicken blastoderm prior to embryo culture and immunostaining for fibronectin have been applied to demonstrate an interaction between glycosaminoglycans and fibronectin in the basement membrane of the epiblast. Fixation of tissue in a mixture of formaldehyde and cetylpyridinium chloride allows detection of fibronectin only in those zones of the embryo that are not colonized by mesoblast cells. The epithelial-mesenchymal interface thus remains unstained. After degradation of glycosaminoglycans in the living organism, it is shown that this particular site, in fact, also contains fibronectin that is masked in vivo by, at least, hyaluronate. This interaction between both compounds is, during gastrulation, constantly correlated with mesoblast migration. Since previous studies have shown that the degradation of hyaluronate determines the behaviour of mesoblast cells, it is proposed that remodelling of the interaction between these compounds is necessary for mesoblast migration to occur.

Melanin: the organizing molecule

The hypothesis is advanced that (neuro)melanin (in conjunction with other pigment molecules such as the isopentenoids) functions as the major organizational molecule in living systems. Melanin is depicted as an organizational "trigger" capable of using established properties such as photon-(electron)-phonon conversions, free radical-redox mechanisms, ion exchange mechanisms, and semiconductive switching capabilities to direct energy to strategic molecular systems and sensitive hierarchies of protein enzyme cascades. Melanin is held capable of regulating a wide range of molecular interactions and metabolic processes primarily through its effective control of diverse covalent modifications. To support the hypothesis, established and proposed properties of melanin are reviewed (including the possibility that (neuro)melanin is capable of self-synthesis). Two "melanocentric systems"--key molecular systems in which melanin plays a central if not controlling role--are examined: 1) the melanin-purine-pteridine (covalent modification) system and 2) the APUD (or diffuse neuroendocrine) system. Melanin's role in embryological organization and tissue repair/regeneration via sustained or direct current is considered in addition to its possible control of the major homeostatic regulatory systems--autonomic, neuroendocrine, and immunological.

Distribution of polyanionic sites in the developing gonads and the dorsal mesentery of the chick embryo

The distribution of glycoconjugates was investigated in the embryonic trunk mesoderm used as a substrate by migrating primordial germ cells (PGCs) by means of ultrastructural cytochemistry. In both mesentery and developing gonads polyanionic sites were abundant in epithelial and mesenchymal cell coats, basal laminae, and extracellular matrices (ECM). In the latter, polyanions distributed on microfibrils and granules were associated with collagen fibers, forming an entangled network. No preferential association of this fibrillo-granular material with PGCs was observed, suggesting that polyanions present in ECM likely act by promoting inflation of the extracellular spaces rather than by providing mechanical guides for the moving cells.

Glycosaminoglycans in embryonic mouse teeth and the dissociated dental constituents

The nature, amounts and distribution of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) before and during odontoblast terminal differentiation were studied. GAG have been isolated from intact mouse tooth germs and from dissociated dental epithelia and dental papillae after labeling with [3H]glucosamine or 35SO2-(4) asd precursor. The kinds and relative amounts of 3H-labeled GAG were analyzed by chromatography on a DEAE-cellulose column and cellulose thin-layer sheets. The amounts of individual GAG relative to total GAG were determined from the elution profiles, whereas their nature was identified by the selective removal of chromatographic peaks after enzymatic or chemical degradation. We found hyaluronate and probably a minute quantity of heparan sulfate in the dental epithelium, while hyaluronate, heparan sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate were the main types of GAG in the dental papilla. The chondroitin sulfate recovered was further fractionated by cellulose thin-layer chromatography into two isomers, namely chondroitin-2-sulfate (the major component) and chondroitin-6-sulfate. Changes in the elution profile from DEAE-cellulose chromatography of tooth GAG extracted from different developmental stages suggest that modifications of GAG occur during odontogenesis. Alcian blue staining localized large amounts of hyaluronate and sulfated GAG along the epithelio-mesenchymal junction. Tissue specificity and changing patterns of GAG were demonstrated during odontogenesis.

Adhesion to extracellular materials by neural crest cells at the stage of initial migration

Trunk-level neural anlagen bearing neural crest cells at the stage of initiation of migration were isolated from chick embryos and explanted in serum-free medium onto glass substrates which had previously been treated with extracellular materials. After 0.5-2 h incubation, the explants were dislodged with a stream of culture medium and the substrate examined for adherent crest cells. Crest cells adhered to collagen gels, and adhered to and spread on adsorbed fibronectin; antiserum to fibronectin prevented adhesion to fibronectin but not to collagen gels. Air-dried collagen gels and collagen solutions were less adhesive, the adhesivity declining with longer drying time and lower collagen concentration. Crest cells adhered poorly to dried gelatin and not at all to adsorbed collagen. Fibronectin increased the adhesion to dried collagen and gelatin. Pretreatment of collagen gels with hyaluronate retarded adhesion. Hyaluronate pretreatment also retarded adhesion to adsorbed fibronectin but only when adsorbed collagen was also present. Pretreatment of collagen gels with the proteoglycan monomer from bovine nasal cartilage had no effect of the adhesion of crest cells, but the proteoglycan almost completely inhibited adhesion to adsorbed fibronectin, but only when absorbed collagen was also present. The results are discussed in terms of the control of migration of neural crest cells by extracellular materials.

Facts and hypotheses concerning the control of odontoblast differentiation

Numerous studies using amphibians have demonstrated that preodontoblasts emerging from the dental papilla are derived from cranial neural crest cells [4, 12, 46, 64]. However this has not been established for mammals. The history of odonotogenesis begins during the early stages of cranial-facial development when the maxillary and mandibular processes processes develop. Continuous epithelio-mesenchymal interactions condition the histogenesis and morphogenesis of the teeth [24-26, 43, 44, 49, 51, 58] as well as the terminal differentiation of odontoblasts and ameloblasts [23, 47, 52, 54, 59, 61, 67]. During recent years a considerable amount of experimental data relating to differentiation of odontoblasts has been published. We summarize these data and attempt to integrate them in deductive hypothesis concerning the control of odontoblast differentiation.

Ultrastructural and tissue-culture studies on the role of fibronectin, collagen and glycosaminoglycans in the migration of neural crest cells in the fowl embryo

The initial migration of neural crest (NC) cells into cell-free space was studied by transmission electron microscopy at trunk levels of fowl embryos, some of which were fixed in the presence of ruthenium red. Migrating NC cells occurred in zones which contained fewer ruthenium-red stained 15-40nm diameter granules than other regions. The ruthenium-red stained granules were linked by similarly stained thin (greater than 3nm diameter) microfibrils. The granules resemble proteoglycan and the microfibrils may be hyaluronate. NC cells contacted thicker (greater than 10 nm diameter) fibrils and interstitial bodies, which did not require ruthenium red for visualization. Cytoplasmic microfilaments were sometimes aligned at the point of contact with the extracellular fibrils, which may be fibronectin and collagen. Phase-contrast time-lapse videotaping and scanning electron microscopy showed that NC cells of the fowl embryo in vitro migrated earlier and more extensively on glass coated with fibronectin-rich fibrous material and adsorbed fibronectin molecules than on glass coated with collagen type I (fibres and adsorbed molecules). NC cells became completely enmeshed in fibronectin-rich fibres, but generally remained on the surface of collagen-fibre gels. When given a choice, NC cells strongly preferred fibronectin coatings to plain glass, and plain glass to dried collagen gels. NC cells showed a slight preference for plain glass over glass to which collagen was adsorbed. Addition to the culture medium of hyaluronate (initial conc. 20 mg/ml), chondroitin (5 mg/ml) and fully sulphated chondroitin sulphate and dermatan sulphate (up to 10 mg/ml) did not drastically alter NC cell migration on fibronectin-rich fibrous substrates.

A histochemical analysis of polyanoinic compounds found in the extracellular matrix encountered by migrating cephalic neural crest cells

Neural crest cells destined to form craniofacial primordia initially are "seeded" into and subsequently migrate through the extracellular matrix (ECM) of a cell free space (CFS) between the surface ectoderm and the underlying mesoderm. Utilizing histochemical procedures for polyanionic compounds, we have demonstrated that both sulfated and nonsulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAG) are present in the CFS of the cephalic region of the chick embryo and that their distribution and structural organization vary with the passage of neural crest or mesodermally derived (MD) mesenchymal cells through it. In stages 7 and 8 embryos a predominance of fine filamentous strands composed primarily on nonsulfated, carboxyl-rich GAG is seen spanning intercellular spaces between adjacent tissues and MD mesenchymal cells. In older embryos (stages 9 and 10) much of the filamentous material is replaced by coarse fibrillar strands or amorphous material which coats the surfaces of MD mesenchymal and neural crest cells as they invade the CFS. Using enzymatic digestions (Streptomyces and testicular hyaluronidase) and the critical electrolyte concentration procedure, data suggest that the fine filamentous matrix onto which the neural crest cells migrate consists mainly of hyaluronate with lesser amounts of chondroitin and some sulfated GAG present. The coarse fibrillar matrix that appears after passage of either neural crest or MD mesenchymal cells through the original CFS contains strongly sulfated polyanionic material, predominantly chondroitin sulfates A, C. Since GAG is located ubiquitously within the ECM of embryos at various stages, the role of GAG, if any, in the transfer of developmental information may be of a general nature (ie. stimulus of motility) rather than of specific morphogenetic cues (for specific differentiation into craniofacial primordia).

Invited review: guidance cue patterns and cell migration in multicellular organisms

In multicellular organisms, guidance cues are either diffusible molecules or cellular or extracellular surfaces that are found in reproducible locations and that orient migrating cells and cell processes. The pattern of the guidance cues usually determines the complex in vivo migration routes of motile cells and cell processes. Within organisms, guidance cues are found to be organized in two general patterns: a) broad gradients--such as diffuse chemotactic gradients; b) discrete routes (substrate pathways)--such as chemotactic gradients confined to long channels, and such as the axon surface which represents a long specific highway for migrating Schwann cells.

The synthesis of hyaluronic acid by ectoderm during early organogenesis in the chick embryo

This study demonstrates that the dorsal ectoderm of the stage 14 chick embryo synthesizes hyaluronic acid. About 49 to 52% of the H3 glucosamine-labeled glycosaminoglycan that is synthesized by explanted ectoderm can be identified as hyaluronic acid on the basis of its susceptibility to Streptomyces hyaluronidase or isolation of chondroitinase ABC digestion products. In addition, autoradiographic evidence shows that the ectoderm, unlike adjacent tissues like epithelial somites or neural tube, incorporates glucosamine into hyaluronidase-sensitive material which becomes largely extracellular and localized in the subectodermal cell-free space. Ultrastructural evidence shows that there is a fine fibrillar matrix between the ectodermal cells and in the subectodermal spaces when tannic acid is included in the primary fixative. This material resembles authentic hyaluronate, similarly fixed, and is absent when tannic acid is omitted from the fixative or when embryos have been previously treated in ovo with Streptomyces hyaluronidase. The concomitant reduction in the intercellular and subectodermal cell-free spaces after in ovo treatment with Streptomyces hyaluronidase supports the hypothesis that the dorsal ectoderm plays a morphogenetic role by contributing hyaluronate to the forming extracellular spaces. It is proposed that ectodermally derived hyaluronate might influence the morphogenesis of subjacent tissues such as the dermatome and neural crest.

Ultrastructural localization of wheat germ agglutinin-binding sites on surfaces of chick embryo cells during early differentiation

The objective of this work was to examine changes in a surface component of cells from the chick embryo during morphogenetic migrations of gastrulation. Two electron microscope techniques were used to localize cell-bound wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), a lectin which specifically binds N-acetyl glucosamine residues. One technique involved conjugation of peroxidase to WGA before reaction with the cells; the other technique used glucose oxidase to mark WGA which was already cell-bound. In both cases, binding was revealed using diaminobenzidine. Before formation of the primitive streak, all surfaces of the two-layered embryo bound WGA. After migration of cells through the streak, to form the three-layered embryo, not all cell surfaces bound WGA equally. Epiblast cells generally bound WGA lateral to the primitive streak but not during passage through the streak. Mesenchyme cells, after passage through the streak, bound WGA increasingly as they migrated away from the streak. A WGA-binding matrix was observed in the vicinity of the mesenchyme cells and on the dorsal surface of the endoblast. The ventral surface of the endoblast bound the lectin very poorly. In some instances, a peroxidase reaction product was consistently seen on certain surfaces which was not removable by addition of the simple hapten N-acetyl glucosamine. In these cases, the density of the deposit was lessened by use of diacetyl chitobiose as a hapten. This result, together with the reduction of reaction product following certain hyaluronidase treatments, suggests that WGA may be binding to hyaluronic acid as well as membrane glycoproteins.

The importance of stroma in morphogenesis and functional activity of urogenital epithelium

Urogenital morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation are presented in the context of the epithelial-stromal interaction. The essential role of stroma in the processes is reviewed.