Differential effects of physiological concentrations of retinoic acid in vitro on chondrogenesis and myogenesis in chick craniofacial mesenchyme

Retinoic acid exerts sexually dimorphic effects on muscle energy metabolism and function

The retinol dehydrogenase Rdh10 catalyzes the rate-limiting reaction that converts retinol into retinoic acid (RA), an autacoid that regulates energy balance and reduces adiposity. Skeletal muscle contributes to preventing adiposity, by consuming nearly half the energy of a typical human. We report sexually dimorphic differences in energy metabolism and muscle function in Rdh10+/- mice. Relative to wild-type (WT) controls, Rdh10+/- males fed a high-fat diet decrease reliance on fatty-acid oxidation and experience glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Running endurance decreases 40%. Rdh10+/- females fed this diet increase fatty acid oxidation and experience neither glucose intolerance nor insulin resistance. Running endurance increases 220%. We therefore assessed RA function in the mixed-fiber type gastrocnemius muscles (GM), which contribute to running, rather than standing, and are similar to human GM. RA levels in Rdh10+/- male GM decrease 38% relative to WT. Rdh10+/- male GM increase expression of Myog and reduce Eif6 mRNAs, which reduce and enhance running endurance, respectively. Cox5A, complex IV activity, and ATP decrease. Increased centralized nuclei reveal existence of muscle malady and/or repair in GM fibers. Comparatively, RA in Rdh10+/- female GM decreases by less than half the male decrease, from a more modest decrease in Rdh10 and an increase in the estrogen-induced retinol dehydrogenase Dhrs9. Myog mRNA decreases. Cox5A, complex IV activity, and ATP increase. Centralized GM nuclei do not increase. We conclude that Rdh10/RA affects whole body energy use and insulin resistance partially through sexual dimorphic effects on skeletal muscle gene expression, structure, and mitochondria activity.

Retinoic acid maintains human skeletal muscle progenitor cells in an immature state

Muscle satellite cells are resistant to cytotoxic agents, and they express several genes that confer resistance to stress, thus allowing efficient dystrophic muscle regeneration after transplantation. However, once they are activated, this capacity to resist to aggressive agents is diminished resulting in massive death of transplanted cells. Although cell immaturity represents a survival advantage, the signalling pathways involved in the control of the immature state remain to be explored. Here, we show that incubation of human myoblasts with retinoic acid impairs skeletal muscle differentiation through activation of the retinoic-acid receptor family of nuclear receptor. Conversely, pharmacologic or genetic inactivation of endogenous retinoic-acid receptors improved myoblast differentiation. Retinoic acid inhibits the expression of early and late muscle differentiation markers and enhances the expression of myogenic specification genes, such as PAX7 and PAX3. These results suggest that the retinoic-acid-signalling pathway might maintain myoblasts in an undifferentiated/immature stage. To determine the relevance of these observations, we characterised the retinoic-acid-signalling pathways in freshly isolated satellite cells in mice and in siMYOD immature human myoblasts. Our analysis reveals that the immature state of muscle progenitors is correlated with high expression of several genes of the retinoic-acid-signalling pathway both in mice and in human. Taken together, our data provide evidences for an important role of the retinoic-acid-signalling pathway in the regulation of the immature state of muscle progenitors.

Expression and regulation of the decoy bone morphogenetic protein receptor BAMBI in the developing avian face

Here, we examine the expression and regulation of the gene BAMBI, a kinase-deficient decoy receptor capable of interacting with type I bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptors in avian embryos. Initially, expression was limited to the endoderm during neurula and pharyngula stages. From embryonic day 3.5 (stage 20) and onward, BAMBI expression almost perfectly overlapped with known expression patterns for BMP4, particularly in the face and limbs. We performed bead implant experiments in the face to see which signals could be repressing or promoting expression of BAMBI. Our data point to retinoids and BMPs as being major positive regulators of BAMBI expression; however, fibroblast growth factor 2 acts to repress BAMBI. Furthermore, retinoic acid is likely to act directly on BAMBI as induction occurs in the presence of cycloheximide. The data suggested that BAMBI could be used to regulate Bmp signaling during tissue interactions that are an integral part of facial morphogenesis.

A role for retinoic acid in regulating the regeneration of deer antlers

Deer antlers are the only mammalian organs that can be repeatedly regenerated; each year, these complex structures are shed and then regrow to be used for display and fighting. To date, the molecular mechanisms controlling antler regeneration are not well understood. Vitamin A and its derivatives, retinoic acids, play important roles in embryonic skeletal development. Here, we provide several lines of evidence consistent with retinoids playing a functional role in controlling cellular differentiation during bone formation in the regenerating antler. Three receptors (alpha, beta, gamma) for both the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR) families show distinct patterns of expression in the growing antler tip, the site of endochondral ossification. RAR alpha and RXR beta are expressed in skin ("velvet") and the underlying perichondrium. In cartilage, which is vascularised, RXR beta is specifically expressed in chondrocytes, which express type II collagen, and RAR alpha in perivascular cells, which also express type I collagen, a marker of the osteoblast phenotype. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis shows significant amounts of Vitamin A (retinol) in antler tissues at all stages of differentiation. The metabolites all-trans-RA and 4-oxo-RA are found in skin, perichondrium, cartilage, bone, and periosteum. The RXR ligand, 9-cis-RA, is found in perichondrium, mineralised cartilage, and bone. To further define sites of RA synthesis in antler, we immunolocalised retinaldehyde dehydrogenase type 2 (RALDH-2), a major retinoic acid-generating enzyme. RALDH-2 is expressed in the skin and perichondrium and in perivascular cells in cartilage, although chondroprogenitors and chondrocytes express very low levels. At sites of bone formation, differentiated osteoblasts which express the bone-specific protein osteocalcin express high levels of RALDH2. The effect of RA on antler cell differentiation was studied in vitro; all-trans-RA inhibits expression of the chondrocyte phenotype, an effect that is blocked by addition of the RAR antagonist Ro41-5253. In monolayer cultures of mesenchymal progenitor cells, all-trans-RA increases the expression of alkaline phosphatase, a marker of the osteoblastic phenotype. In summary, this study has shown that antler tissues contain endogenous retinoids, including 9-cis RA, and the enzyme RALDH2 that generates RA. Sites of RA synthesis in antler correspond closely with the localisation of cells which express receptors for these ligands and which respond to the effects of RA.

Establishment of a testicular carcinoma cell line producing alpha-fetoprotein

OBJECTIVE

To characterize a newly established human testicular carcinoma cell line that continuously produces alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and to investigate the effects of retinoic acid on AFP production.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 24-year-old man underwent a radical orchidectomy for a right testicular tumour and was found to have two separate metastatic lesions in the lungs, both of which were removed surgically. The cancer cells were isolated from one of the tumours, which was composed of undifferentiated germ cells and produced AFP; the cells were cultured in a monolayer. This cell line was designated as KU-MT.

RESULTS

The cell line was successfully maintained both in athymic nude mice and in culture. Histological examination showed that the xenografted tumours were composed of cells in the reticular, solid and glandular patterns of a yolk sac tumour, and of embryonal carcinoma cells. These cells immunostained positively for AFP. On electron microscopy, the extracellular deposition of a basement lamina-like substance, a typical feature of yolk sac tumour, was detected. The AFP production in mice correlated well with the tumour weight of the xenograft. The cultured KU-MT cells were oval to polygonal in morphology and grew exponentially, with a population doubling time of approximately 2 days. Chromosomal analysis showed a modal number of 57 with consistent structural abnormalities of +add(1)(p13), del(1)(q32), del(2)(q31), add(6) (q21), +add(9)(p22), add(11)(p15), and add(14)(p11). Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the retinoic acid receptors (RAR)-alpha, RAR-gamma, and retinoid X receptor-alpha were present in the cells. The expression of AFP mRNA was up-regulated in response to all-trans-retinoic acid; treatment with this agent caused morphological changes and induced apoptosis in the cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This newly established cell line provides a reproducible model system that should offer a good insight into the differentiation of testicular carcinoma.

Epithelium is required for maintaining FGFR-2 expression levels in facial mesenchyme of the developing chick embryo

In the developing chick embryo, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGFR-2) expression patterns correlate with outgrowth of facial prominences. Frontonasal mass prominences that form the pre-nasal cartilage and upper beak express high levels of FGFR-2 receptor, whereas maxillary prominences that form the flattened corners of the beak and palatal shelves express low FGFR-2 transcript levels. Facial epithelium is an abundant source of FGFs and is required to support outgrowth of mesenchymal tissue, including cartilage rod formation. Because FGFR-2 is highly expressed in regions of facial outgrowth and because epithelium is required for outgrowth of facial prominences, epithelium could be required to maintain FGFR-2 transcripts in facial mesenchyme. To test this hypothesis, we removed epithelium to inhibit outgrowth of regions of the embryonic face, grafted frontonasal mass and maxillary prominences into a host limb bud, and then examined changes in FGFR-2 expression using in situ hybridization. We also hybridized adjacent sections with collagen II probe to identify regions undergoing chondrogenesis. Our results indicate that removal of epithelium from frontonasal mass led to a decrease in FGFR-2 and collagen II expression 24 hr after grafting to host and that neither FGFR-2 nor collagen II expression increased to expected levels at 48 hr. These results suggest that there are signals in the epithelium required for increasing FGFR-2 and collagen II gene transcription, and the expression of these genes are linked to outgrowth of facial prominences.

Cellular reactions to bone-derived material

Demineralized bone has been used as an acceptable alternative to fresh autogenous bone grafting in a variety of clinical reconstructive procedures. With the recent expansion of regional and national tissue banks, more implants are being used in routine applications. Questions raised about the bioactivity of human demineralized bone may be resolved by development of relevant assays for screening a lot of banked tissue. Such a bioassay could be developed based on the effects of osteoinductive materials on cells in vitro. Various effects of culture with demineralized bone or its components have been reported for cell lines or embryonic, fetal, or neonatal rodent and chick tissues and cells. In this study, human dermal fibroblasts and a variety of other cell types expressed features of chondroblastic phenotype when cultured with demineralized bone powder.

Characterization of a glucocorticoid responsive element and identification of an AT-rich element that regulate the link protein gene

The cartilage matrix is composed of characteristic components including type II collagen, aggrecan and link protein. In this paper, we report two DNA elements that regulate the link protein gene. Using transient transfection assays with link protein gene constructs in chondrocytes, chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) assays were used to measure the transcriptional activity of the link protein gene. Previously, we identified an enhancer-like activity within the first intron of the gene. In this paper, we report an active 34 bp (+1390 to +1424) fragment within this region that contains a glucocorticoid-like response element (GRE). Both deletion of, and site-specific mutations within this sequence motif reduced the dexamethasone-inducible activity. The GRE-like sequence from the rat link protein gene, or the homologous sequence from the human link protein gene were included in vectors containing the thymidine kinase promoter linked to the CAT gene (tkCAT). Both human and rat elements transferred the ability to respond to dexamethasone and hydrocortisone with a > 10-fold induction. Deletions through the promoter from -923 to -900 identified a second site required for both glucocorticoid and serum responsiveness. A four base substitution at this site resulted in a loss of serum responsiveness. This region contains an AT-rich element, similar to the AT-rich elements involved in homeotic protein regulation of the growth hormone gene and the muscle creatine kinase gene. Southwestern analysis using oligonucleotides containing the AT-rich element from the link protein gene or the muscle creatine kinase gene, identified a 32 kDa protein band from nuclear extracts of chick chondrocytes. Using these AT-rich oligonucleotides in band-shift analyses, nuclear extracts of chick sternal muscle, rat chondrosarcoma and chick sternal chondrocytes each showed formation of different complexes suggesting cell specificity. AT-rich elements have been identified as binding sites for homeodomain-containing proteins and can contribute to gene regulation by serum response factors. The identification of an AT-rich element in the link protein gene suggests similar functions for this element.

Regulation of a muscle-specific transgene by retinoic acid

Retinoic acid (RA) has been shown to have variable effects on myogenic differentiation in cell culture. The application of RA on primary cultures of embryonic somites, limb buds, and neonatal limbs inhibited myogenic differentiation in a dose-dependent way as indicated by the repression of: (a) myotube formation, (b) myosin heavy chain protein accumulation, (c) myosin light chain (MLC) 1/3, alpha sk-actin and myogenic factor transcript expression. Expression of retinoic acid receptors (RAR) was also affected by RA treatment, specifically RAR gamma transcripts were induced. To further understand the pleiotropic action of RA on myogenesis, we took advantage of two muscle-specific transgene markers which consisted of CAT reporter genes driven by regulatory elements either from the myosin light chain 1/3 locus (MLC-CAT) or the alpha-skeletal actin gene (alpha sk actin-CAT). RA inhibited MLC-CAT transgene but not alpha sk actin-CAT transgene expression in primary cultures from these mice. Analysis of MLC-CAT expression in transgenic mouse primary cultures and in stably transfected C2C12 cells demonstrated that repression of MLC-CAT activity by RA was dependent upon diffusible factors in chick embryo extract. We hypothesize that during development, the pleiotropic effects of RA on myogenesis do not depend solely on the distribution and concentration of RA itself, but are also influenced by extracellular signals in the embryonic environment.

Chondrocyte differentiation

Data obtained while investigating growth plate chondrocyte differentiation during endochondral bone formation both in vivo and in vitro indicate that initial chondrogenesis depends on positional signaling mediated by selected homeobox-containing genes and soluble mediators. Continuation of the process strongly relies on interactions of the differentiating cells with the microenvironment, that is, other cells and extracellular matrix. Production of and response to different hormones and growth factors are observed at all times and autocrine and paracrine cell stimulations are key elements of the process. Particularly relevant is the role of the TGF-beta superfamily, and more specifically of the BMP subfamily. Other factors include retinoids, FGFs, GH, and IGFs, and perhaps transferrin. The influence of local microenvironment might also offer an acceptable settlement to the debate about whether hypertrophic chondrocytes convert to bone cells and live, or remain chondrocytes and die. We suggest that the ultimate fate of hypertrophic chondrocytes may be different at different microanatomical sites.

In vitro analysis of the spatial organization of chondrogenic regions of avian mandibular mesenchyme

The mechanism(s) which control patterning in the face remain elusive, due in large part to the absence of morphologically identifiable controlling regions such as the AER of the limb bud. In order to identify the controlling region(s) and timing of patterning in the face, an investigation was launched to determine the spatial organization of tissues within this region, beginning with the chondrogenic zones of the avian (chick and quail) mandible. The mandibles from HH stage 23/24 chick and equivalent stage quail embryos were initially bisected in three planes giving rostral or caudal, proximal or distal, and medial or lateral halves. The mesenchyme from these various regions was isolated, plated out in high density micromass cultures, and grown for 4 days. Additionally, further cultures were grown, consisting of mandibular mesenchyme subdivided into quarters along the long axis of the mandible (e.g., rostro-proximal quarter) as well as the bisecting of medial or lateral halves (e.g., medial-rostral quarter). Nodule number and area were determined by morphometric analysis for each culture as well as whole mandible controls. The demarcation between chondrogenic and non-chondrogenic regions was dramatic. Of the bisected halves, proximal and lateral were the most chondrogenic with the lateral subdivision displaying much more cartilage than whole mandible. The nodules of the lateral cultures fused into a sheet of cartilage. In contrast mesenchyme from the medial half was virtually non-chondrogenic. When ranked by the amount of chondrogenesis, the order was, lateral > proximal = whole = core > distal > caudal > rostral > periphery >> medial. Interestingly, when subdivided further an altered pattern appeared.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chondrogenic differentiation in cultures of embryonic rat mesenchyme

The morphology and fine structure of day 12 rat embryonic mesenchyme from forelimb bud, mandibular arches, and frontonasal prominence is described as the cells undergo chondrogenesis in high density, micromass culture. The cultures began as a multilayered "pavement" of flattened mesenchymal cells, 3-4 deep, with moderate intercellular space but little identifiable electron-dense extracellular matrix. Pre-cartilage condensations, which consisted of aggregates of cells which had rounded up, displaying little or no intercellular space, formed within the first 24 h in limb mesenchyme and after an additional 24 h in mandibular and frontonasal cultures. Gap junctions occur between these cells, indicating a phase of direct cell-cell communication. Chondrogenesis within these aggregates began within the next 24 h in limb cultures but was delayed an additional 24-48 h in the frontonasal and especially in mandibular cultures. The aggregates in both limb and mandibular mesenchyme form discrete nodules bordered by a perichondrium consisting of 2-3 layers of flattened cells. Evidence from late stage mandibular cultures suggests that chondroblasts are added to the nodules from the perichondrium, as occurs in vivo. By contrast, the frontonasal cartilage is initially unbordered and forms anastomosing trabecular arrays. Some of these arrays fuse into larger structures with time, but others become surrounded by a single, flattened perichondrium, resulting in the stacking of these trabeculae as chondrification proceeds. The sequence of cartilage matrix production, as revealed in long-term facial cultures, appears to occur in three stages, an early phase in which the extracellular matrix consists primarily of proteoglycans, followed by a phase of homogeneous collagen-proteoglycan matrix and a mature, territorial matrix. In all three cultures the cartilage ultimately produced resembles mature rat hyaline cartilage with chondroblasts surrounded by a territorial matrix of type II collagen and proteoglycan granules.

Retinoic acid repression of cell-specific helix-loop-helix-octamer activation of the calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide enhancer

We have investigated the mechanism underlying repression of calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide (CT/CGRP) gene expression by retinoic acid. Retinoic acid treatment of the CA77 thyroid C-cell line decreased CT/CGRP promoter activity two- to threefold, which correlates well with the decrease in calcitonin and CGRP mRNA levels. Repression is mediated through the nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RAR) on the basis of the retinoid specificity, the sensitivity of repression (half-maximal repression at 0.2 nM), and the additional repression caused by cotransfection of an alpha-RAR expression vector. The sequences required for retinoic acid repression were localized to an 18-bp element containing cell-specific enhancer activity. The enhancer binds helix-loop-helix (HLH) and octamer transcription factors that act synergistically to activate transcription. Retinoic acid repression requires both these factors since mutations in either motif resulted in the loss of repression. Furthermore, repression was observed only in cell lines containing enhancer activity. We have used electrophoretic mobility shift assays to show that repression does not involve direct DNA binding of RAR or RAR-retinoid X receptor heterodimers. Instead, repression appears to involve interactions with the stimulatory enhancer factors. Following retinoic acid treatment, there was a specific decrease in an enhancer complex containing both HLH and octamer proteins. Formation of the HLH-octamer complex was also specifically blocked by the addition of exogenous RAR-retinoid X receptor protein. These results demonstrate that RAR can repress CT/CGRP gene transcription by interfering with combinatorial activation by cell-specific HLH and octamer proteins.

Retinoic acid repression of cell-specific helix-loop-helix-octamer activation of the calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide enhancer

We have investigated the mechanism underlying repression of calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide (CT/CGRP) gene expression by retinoic acid. Retinoic acid treatment of the CA77 thyroid C-cell line decreased CT/CGRP promoter activity two- to threefold, which correlates well with the decrease in calcitonin and CGRP mRNA levels. Repression is mediated through the nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RAR) on the basis of the retinoid specificity, the sensitivity of repression (half-maximal repression at 0.2 nM), and the additional repression caused by cotransfection of an alpha-RAR expression vector. The sequences required for retinoic acid repression were localized to an 18-bp element containing cell-specific enhancer activity. The enhancer binds helix-loop-helix (HLH) and octamer transcription factors that act synergistically to activate transcription. Retinoic acid repression requires both these factors since mutations in either motif resulted in the loss of repression. Furthermore, repression was observed only in cell lines containing enhancer activity. We have used electrophoretic mobility shift assays to show that repression does not involve direct DNA binding of RAR or RAR-retinoid X receptor heterodimers. Instead, repression appears to involve interactions with the stimulatory enhancer factors. Following retinoic acid treatment, there was a specific decrease in an enhancer complex containing both HLH and octamer proteins. Formation of the HLH-octamer complex was also specifically blocked by the addition of exogenous RAR-retinoid X receptor protein. These results demonstrate that RAR can repress CT/CGRP gene transcription by interfering with combinatorial activation by cell-specific HLH and octamer proteins.

Effects of retinoic acid on cartilage differentiation in a chondrogenic cell line

Previously we have isolated the monopotential chondrogenic cell line RCJ 3.1 C5.18 from the multipotential mesenchymal cell line RCJ 3.1 [Grigoriadis et al.: Endocrinology, 125:2103-2110, 1989]. When cultured for approximately 20 days under appropriate conditions, these cells from cartilage nodules. In the present investigation, we have used this cell line to study the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (RA) on chondroblast differentiation, cartilage formation, and cartilage degradation. Continuous exposure of cultures to RA (0.01-100 nM) inhibited chondroblast differentiation and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) accumulation in a dose-dependent manner, without comparable effects on cell growth. Pulse treatment with RA for various 4 day periods during a 17-24 day culture period established that RA inhibited differentiation of chondroprogenitors at all periods tested. These effects were reversible, except for part of the effect on early chondroprogenitors. Treatment with RA on days 13-17 in 17 day cultures not only resulted in cessation of cartilage formation, but also in disappearance of pre-existing cartilage nodules. We demonstrated that this was associated with RA-induced downregulation of GAG synthesis and increased degradation of cartilage proteoglycans. Hence, the inhibitory effects of RA on cartilage formation consist of inhibition of chondroblast differentiation, inhibition of GAG synthesis by differentiated chondroblasts, and stimulation of cartilage proteoglycan degradation by differentiated chondroblasts and/or chondrocytes. These results indicate that the clonal monopotential chondrogenic cell line RCJ 3.1 C5.18 forms a good model system to study the effects of retinoids on cartilage differentiation, formation, and degradation.

Differential and stage dependent effects of retinoic acid on chondrogenesis and synthesis of extracellular matrix macromolecules in chick craniofacial mesenchyme in vitro

Retinoic acid (RA) is well known to be a potent teratogen and induces a variety of facial defects in vivo, but at concentration levels lower than those that cause facial defects, RA seems to play an important role in normal facial development. In a previous study, we demonstrated the ability of RA to stimulate chondrogenesis in vitro in HH stage 23/24 chick mandibular (MND) but not frontonasal (FNP) mesenchyme cultured in a serum-free medium. The present study furthers these results by examining the effects of RA on chondrogenesis of chick facial mesenchyme at earlier embryonic stages and the effects on cell proliferation and synthesis of specific extracellular matrix macromolecules at stage 23/24. MND and FNP cells were cultured as micromasses for 4 days in defined media. As described previously, chondrogenesis in stage 23/24 MND cells was significantly enhanced by concentrations of RA of 0.1-1 ng/ml; however, at all earlier stages examined (18 to 22) RA at these concentrations had no significant effect. Higher concentrations of the retinoid inhibited chondrogenesis in MND cultures from all stages tested. Cells of the FNP from all stages displayed no significant change in chondrogenesis below 1 ng/ml RA and a dose dependent inhibition at higher concentrations. Thus RA's promotional effects in the face are not only tissue specific (MND), but also stage-dependent (HH 23/24). The specific effects of RA on matrix production and cell proliferation of stage 23/24 MND and FNP cells was examined by analysis of 35S sulfate, 3H thymidine and 3H proline incorporation. Analysis of 35S sulfate incorporation into sulfated proteoglycans confirmed that concentrations of RA of 0.1-1 ng/ml stimulated cartilage matrix production in MND but not FNP cultures. Above this level of RA, 35S sulfate incorporation was reduced in both. Likewise, 3H proline incorporation into collagenous protein, and to a lesser extent non-collagenous proteins, was stimulated by low levels of RA in MND, but not FNP cultures. Higher concentrations of the retinoid in either MND or FNP cultures did not lower collagen production, undoubtedly due to stimulation of non-chondrogenic cells within the population. This indicates that levels of RA as high as 100 ng/ml cause phenotypic change rather than cell death. This last point is corroborated by the analysis of 3H thymidine uptake in the cultures which was only transiently modified in most. The data indicate that cell proliferation occurred even in the presence of high RA levels.

The role of retinoids in normal and abnormal embryonic craniofacial morphogenesis

The objective of this article is to evaluate the role of retinoids in the developing head and face. This article covers two lines of evidence that strongly support a role for retinoids in craniofacial development. First, the specific effects of exogenous retinoids on the head and face are covered and mechanisms for the specificity discussed. Second, the function of endogenous retinoids in facial development is discussed in relation to the distribution of retinoid-binding substances in the face. Finally, the interaction of retinoids with other genes known to be expressed in the face as well as other factors required for facial growth is discussed.

Mesoderm and jaw development in vertebrates: the role of growth factors

The head and neck arise during development as the result of a complex series of cellular and molecular interactions that begin in the fertilized egg. In this article, the role of an important class of molecules, growth factors, is examined in two main steps of the developmental sequence: the initial induction of mesoderm and the later induction of jaw cartilage and bone. The article focuses particularly on the roles of members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and epithelial growth factor (EGF) families in these processes and current models of growth factor involvement. Possible experiments for the future are discussed.

Effects of isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid) on the development of mouse limbs in vivo and in vitro

Isotretinoin (13-cis-RA) is known to be teratogenic in humans and laboratory animals. The relatively low potency of 13-cis-RA in NRMI mice in comparison to the all-trans isomer has been proposed to be due to minimal transfer across the placenta (Creech-Kraft et al., '87). To further delineate the teratogenic potential of 13-cis-RA, a dose-response, temporal study was conducted in vivo and in vitro using submerged limb culture and image analysis evaluation of development. Dose-dependent embryotoxicity was produced by treatment on GD 7, while later treatments produced inconsistent effects on resorption rate and fetal weight. Treatment on either GD 7 or GD 8 produced a number of malformations in dose-dependent manner. Most common were tail and cleft palate defects, which were produced by 13-cis-RA on each of the days tested (GD 7-GD 11), with peak malformations occurring on GD 9 and GD 10 for tail and cleft palate, respectively. Most limb defects were produced after GD 10 and GD 11 exposure. The observed frequency of defects confirmed that in ICR mice 13-cis-RA is about 10-fold less potent than all-trans-RA as a limb teratogen (Kwasigroch and Kochhar, '80; Kochhar and Penner, '87). Effects observed via image analysis following maintenance of limbs in serum-free culture medium were dose dependent. Low dose treatment produced occasional polydactyly. The intermediate dose caused somewhat variable region-dependent increases in cartilaginous bone anlagen area. The high dose of 13-cis-RA produced irregular limb outlines, a reduction in bone anlagen area, and an inhibition of alcian blue staining of cartilage without affecting morphogenesis of bone anlagen. These results confirm that, when the effects of the administered doses are evaluated, 13-cis-RA is a much less potent teratogen in comparison to the all-trans isomer. More importantly, the results show that retinoids can enhance (at low and intermediate doses), depress (at high doses), or eliminate (high dose) chondrogenenic expression during limb morphogenesis in vitro. This indicates that retinoids such as 13-cis-RA can manipulate events in development in a variety of ways (i.e., produce malformations, interfere with chondrogenic expression without affecting morphogenesis, and stimulate growth) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Although the ability of RA to act as a true morphogen has recently been questioned (Wanek et al., '91; Noji et al., '91), the results presented here support the position that RA can modulate the development of the limb (and probably other organ systems) in several vertebrate species.

A dominant negative mutation of the alpha retinoic acid receptor gene in a retinoic acid-nonresponsive embryonal carcinoma cell

Pluripotential embryonal carcinoma cells such as those of the P19 line differentiate when exposed to retinoic acid (RA). The RAC65 cell line is a mutant clone of P19 cells selected to be RA nonresponsive. RAC65 cells carry a rearrangement affecting one of the genes encoding a nuclear retinoic acid receptor (RAR alpha). The mutant gene encodes a protein, RAR alpha', that has lost its 70 C-terminal amino acids, thus truncating the RA-binding domain. The RAR alpha' was found to be a dominant repressor of transcription from an RA-responsive target gene; however, expression of RAR alpha' was insufficient to confer RA nonresponsiveness, suggesting that RAC65 cells carry an additional mutation(s) affecting RA-induced genes.

A dominant negative mutation of the alpha retinoic acid receptor gene in a retinoic acid-nonresponsive embryonal carcinoma cell

Pluripotential embryonal carcinoma cells such as those of the P19 line differentiate when exposed to retinoic acid (RA). The RAC65 cell line is a mutant clone of P19 cells selected to be RA nonresponsive. RAC65 cells carry a rearrangement affecting one of the genes encoding a nuclear retinoic acid receptor (RAR alpha). The mutant gene encodes a protein, RAR alpha', that has lost its 70 C-terminal amino acids, thus truncating the RA-binding domain. The RAR alpha' was found to be a dominant repressor of transcription from an RA-responsive target gene; however, expression of RAR alpha' was insufficient to confer RA nonresponsiveness, suggesting that RAC65 cells carry an additional mutation(s) affecting RA-induced genes.

Formation of chondrous and osseous tissues in micromass cultures of rat frontonasal and mandibular ectomesenchyme

Rat frontonasal and mandibular mesenchyme was isolated from day-12 1/2 (stage-22) rat embryos and cultured at high density for up to 12 days. The stage chosen was based on the observation that mandibular mesenchyme at this stage became independent of its epithelium with respect to the production of both cartilage and bone. Frontonasal cultures developed aggregates of anastomosing columns of cells within 2 days. These grew as the cells enlarged, laying down an Alcian-blue-positive matrix by day 3 of culture. Significant mineral was detected by von Kossa staining by day 5 at which time the aggregates covered a large portion of the culture, eventually covering the entire micromass by day 10-12. Mandibular cultures developed centrally located nodular aggregates by 3 days of culture. These nodules increased in number, spreading outwards as the cells enlarged, laying down an Alcian-blue-positive matrix by day 4 and mineral by days 6-7. At this time the nodules began to elongate and coalesce, but never covered the entire culture over the 12-day period. Antibody staining revealed that in both cultures the cells were initially positive for type I collagen. Subsequently, the aggregates began expressing type II collagen, followed by type X, which coincided with the onset of mineralization. At this time some cells were negative for these cartilage markers, but positive for osteoblast markers, bone sialoprotein II, osteocalcin and type I collagen. In addition osteonectin and alkaline phosphatase were demonstrable in all of the aggregate cells late in the culture period. This provided clear evidence that chondroblast and osteoblast differentiation was proceeding within these cultures. The culture of rat facial mesenchyme should prove very useful, not only for the analysis of bone and cartilage induction and lineage relationships, but also in furthering our knowledge of craniofacial differentiation, growth and pattern formation by extending our analysis to a mammalian system.