Msx1 controls inductive signaling in mammalian tooth morphogenesis

Development ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 122 (10) ◽  
pp. 3035-3044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Chen ◽  
M. Bei ◽  
I. Woo ◽  
I. Satokata ◽  
R. Maas

Members of the Msx homeobox family are thought to play important roles in inductive tissue interactions during vertebrate organogenesis, but their precise developmental function has been unclear. Mice deficient for Msx1 exhibit defects in craniofacial development and a failure of tooth morphogenesis, with an arrest in molar tooth development at the E13.5 bud stage. Because of its potential for experimental manipulation, the murine molar tooth germ provides a powerful system for studying the role of Msx genes in inductive signaling during organogenesis. To further analyze the role of Msx1 in regulating epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during tooth morphogenesis, we have examined the expression of several potential Msx1 downstream genes in Msx1 mutant tooth germs and we have performed functional experiments designed to order these genes into a pathway. Our results show that expression of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 (BMP4), the HMG box gene Lef1 and the heparan sulfate proteoglycan syndecan-1 is specifically reduced in Msx1 mutant dental mesenchyme, while expression of the extracellular matrix protein tenascin is unaffected. BMP4 soaked beads can induce Bmp4 and Lef1 expression in explanted wild-type dental mesenchymes, but only Lef1 expression in Msx1 mutant dental mesenchyme. We thus conclude that epithelial BMP4 induces its own expression in dental mesenchyme in a manner that requires Msx1. In turn, we show that addition of BMP4 to Msx1 deficient tooth germs bypasses the requirement for Msx1 and rescues epithelial development from the bud stage to the E14.5 cap stage. Lastly, we show that FGFs induce syndecan-1 expression in dental mesenchyme in a manner that also requires Msx-1. These results integrate Msx1 into a regulatory hierarchy in early tooth morphogenesis and demonstrate that Msx1 is not only expressed in dental mesenchyme in response to epithelial signals, but also in turn regulates the reciprocal expression of inductive signals in the mesenchyme which then act back upon the dental epithelium. We propose that Msx genes function repetitively during vertebrate organogenesis to permit inductive signaling to occur back and forth between tissue layers.

2006 ◽  
Vol 85 (10) ◽  
pp. 888-893 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.M. Mitchell ◽  
D.M. Hicklin ◽  
P.M. Doughty ◽  
J.H. Hicklin ◽  
J.W. Dickert ◽  
...  

The paired-related homeobox genes, Prx1 and Prx2, encode transcription factors critical for orofacial development. Prx1−/−/ Prx2−/− neonates have mandibular hypoplasia and malformed mandibular incisors. Although the mandibular incisor phenotype has been briefly described (ten Berge et al., 1998 , 2001 ; Lu et al., 1999 ), very little is known about the role of Prx proteins during tooth morphogenesis. Since the posterior mandibular region was relatively normal, we examined molar tooth development in Prx1−/−/ Prx2−/− embryos to determine whether the tooth malformation is primary to the loss of Prx protein or secondary to defects in surrounding tissues. Three-dimensional (3D) morphological reconstructions demonstrated that Prx1−/−/ Prx2−/− embryos had molar malformations, including cuspal changes and ectopic epithelial projections. Although we demonstrate that Prx1 protein is expressed only mesenchymally, 3D reconstructions showed important morphological defects in epithelial tissues at the cap and bell stages. Analysis of these data suggests that the Prx homeoproteins are critical for mesenchymal-epithelial signaling during tooth morphogenesis.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Przyklenk ◽  
Veronika Georgieva ◽  
Fabian Metzen ◽  
Sebastian Mostert ◽  
Birgit Kobbe ◽  
...  

LTBP1 is a large extracellular matrix protein and an associated ligand of fibrillin-microfibrils. Knowledge of LTBP1 functions is largely limited to its role in targeting and sequestering TGFβ growth factors within the extracellular matrix, thereby regulating their bioavailability. However, the recent description of a wide spectrum of phenotypes in multiple tissues in patients harboring LTBP1 pathogenic variants suggests a multifaceted role of the protein in the homeostasis of connective tissues. To better understand the human pathology caused by LTBP1 deficiency it is important to investigate its functional role in extracellular matrix formation. In this study, we show that LTBP1 coordinates the incorporation of fibrillin-1 and -2 into the extracellular matrix in vitro. We also demonstrate that this function is differentially exerted by the two isoforms, the short and long forms of LTBP1. Thereby our findings uncover a novel TGFβ-independent LTBP1 function potentially contributing to the development of connective tissue disorders.


2020 ◽  
Vol 127 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joelle Trepanier ◽  
Dharmendra D Dingar ◽  
Marc-Antoine Gillis ◽  
Pramod Sahadevan ◽  
Yan Fen Shi ◽  
...  

Cardiac hypertrophy, a common consequence of cardiopathologies such as hypertension and myocardial infarcts, involves formation of excessive interstitial fibrosis, which may impair cardiac function. Fibroblasts are the primary source of extracellular matrix protein. Extracellular-regulated kinase 4 (ERK4) is an atypical mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). The regulation and role of ERK4 in the heart are currently unidentified and its only known target is MAP kinase-activated protein kinase 5 (MK5), a kinase involved in regulating fibroblast function. Following constriction of the transverse aorta (TAC), MK5 haplodeficient mice showed an attenuation of the TAC-induced increase in collagen 1-α 1 mRNA at 2-wk post-TAC and reduced hypertrophy 8-wk post-TAC. Further studies revealed MK5 immunoreactivity in cardiac fibroblasts but not myocytes. MK5 immunoprecipitates from whole heart contain ERK3 immunoreactivity, but not that of ERK4 or p38 MAPK. This study was to examine the role of ERK4 in myocardial structure, function, and remodeling 3-wk post-TAC. At 12 wk of age, echocardiographic imaging revealed systolic and diastolic function in male ERK4 -/- mice were similar to wild-type littermates (ERK4 +/+ ). Three weeks post-TAC, hypertrophy was similar in ERK4 +/+ and ERK4 -/- mice. Transcripts for BNP and βMHC increased to similar extent in TAC- ERK4 +/+ and TAC- ERK4 -/- mice. Two-way ANOVA indicated that ERK4 deficiency altered the effect of TAC on TGFβ 1 and collagen 1-α 1 transcript levels with each being higher in TAC-ERK4 -/- mice. Furthermore, MK5 immunoprecipitates from cardiac fibroblast lysates did not contain ERK4 immunoreactivity. Additional experiments revealed the presence of ERK4 immunoreactivity in myocytes but not fibroblasts. These results suggest 1) ERK4 may be involved in myocyte - fibroblast communication during myocardial remodeling and 2) in cardiac myocytes, ERK4 is part of a novel signaling cascade that does not involve MK5.


Development ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 120 (7) ◽  
pp. 2003-2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Ekblom ◽  
M. Ekblom ◽  
L. Fecker ◽  
G. Klein ◽  
H.Y. Zhang ◽  
...  

Recent biochemical studies suggested that the extracellular matrix protein nidogen is a binding molecule linking together basement membrane components. We studied its expression and role during development. By immunofluorescence and northern blotting, nidogen was found early during epithelial cell development of kidney and lung. Yet, in situ hybridization revealed that nidogen was not produced by epithelium but by the adjacent mesenchyme in both organs. Binding of mesenchymal nidogen to epithelial laminin may thus be a key event during epithelial development. This is supported by antibody perturbation experiments. Antibodies against the nidogen binding site on laminin B2 chain perturbed epithelial development in vitro in embryonic kidney and lung. Mesenchymal nidogen could be important for early stages of epithelial morphogenesis.


Brain ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 142 (6) ◽  
pp. 1547-1560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro M. Rodríguez Cruz ◽  
Judith Cossins ◽  
Eduardo de Paula Estephan ◽  
Francina Munell ◽  
Kathryn Selby ◽  
...  

Abstract Next generation sequencing techniques were recently used to show mutations in COL13A1 cause synaptic basal lamina-associated congenital myasthenic syndrome type 19. Animal studies showed COL13A1, a synaptic extracellular-matrix protein, is involved in the formation and maintenance of the neuromuscular synapse that appears independent of the Agrin-LRP4-MuSK-DOK7 acetylcholine receptor clustering pathway. Here, we report the phenotypic spectrum of 16 patients from 11 kinships harbouring homozygous or heteroallelic mutations in COL13A1. Clinical presentation was mostly at birth with hypotonia and breathing and feeding difficulties often requiring ventilation and artificial feeding. Respiratory crisis related to recurrent apnoeas, sometimes triggered by chest infections, were common early in life but resolved over time. The predominant pattern of muscle weakness included bilateral ptosis (non-fatigable in adulthood), myopathic facies and marked axial weakness, especially of neck flexion, while limb muscles were less involved. Other features included facial dysmorphism, skeletal abnormalities and mild learning difficulties. All patients tested had results consistent with abnormal neuromuscular transmission. Muscle biopsies were within normal limits or showed non-specific changes. Muscle MRI and serum creatine kinase levels were normal. In keeping with COL13A1 mutations affecting both synaptic structure and presynaptic function, treatment with 3,4-diaminopyridine and salbutamol resulted in motor and respiratory function improvement. In non-treated cases, disease severity and muscle strength improved gradually over time and several adults recovered normal muscle strength in the limbs. In summary, patients with COL13A1 mutations present mostly with severe early-onset myasthenic syndrome with feeding and breathing difficulties. Axial weakness is greater than limb weakness. Disease course improves gradually over time, which could be consistent with the less prominent role of COL13A1 once the neuromuscular junction is mature. This report emphasizes the role of collagens at the human muscle endplate and should facilitate the recognition of this disorder, which can benefit from pharmacological treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angammana Randilini ◽  
Kaoru Fujikawa ◽  
Shunichi Shibata

The gene expression and protein synthesis of small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs), including decorin, biglycan, fibromodulin, and lumican, was analyzed in the context of the hypothesis that they are closely related to tooth formation. In situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and organ culture with metabolic labeling of [35S] were carried out in mouse first molar tooth germs of different developmental stages using ICR mice at embryonic day (E) 13.5 to postnatal day (P) 7.0. At the bud and cap stage, decorin mRNA was expressed only in the surrounding mesenchyme, but not within the tooth germ. Biglycan mRNA was then expressed in the condensing mesenchyme and the dental papilla of the tooth germ. At the apposition stage (late bell stage), both decorin and biglycan mRNA were expressed in odontoblasts, resulting in a switch of the pattern of expression within the different stages of odontoblast differentiation. Decorin mRNA was expressed earlier in newly differentiating odontoblasts than biglycan. With odontoblast maturation and dentin formation, decorin mRNA expression was diminished and localized to the newly differentiating odontoblasts at the cervical region. Simultaneously, biglycan mRNA took over and extended its expression throughout the new and mature odontoblasts. Both mRNAs were expressed in the dental pulp underlying the respective odontoblasts. At P7.0, both mRNAs were weakly expressed but maintained their spatial expression patterns. Immunostaining showed that biglycan was localized in the dental papillae and pulp. In addition, all four SLRPs showed clear immunostaining in predentin, although the expressions of fibromodulin and lumican mRNAs were not identified in the tooth germs examined. The organ culture data obtained supported the histological findings that biglycan is more predominant than decorin at the apposition stage. These results were used to identify biglycan as the principal molecule among the SLRPs investigated. Our findings indicate that decorin and biglycan show spatial and temporal differential expressions and play their own tissue-specific roles in tooth development.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Rudziak ◽  
Christopher G. Ellis ◽  
Paulina M. Kowalewska

Leukocyte recruitment is a hallmark of the inflammatory response. Migrating leukocytes breach the endothelium along with the vascular basement membrane and associated pericytes. While much is known about leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions, the mechanisms and role of pericytes in extravasation are poorly understood and the classical paradigm of leukocyte recruitment in the microvasculature seldom adequately discusses the involvement of pericytes. Emerging evidence shows that pericytes are essential players in the regulation of leukocyte extravasation in addition to their functions in blood vessel formation and blood-brain barrier maintenance. Junctions between venular endothelial cells are closely aligned with extracellular matrix protein low expression regions (LERs) in the basement membrane, which in turn are aligned with gaps between pericytes. This forms preferential paths for leukocyte extravasation. Breaching of the layer formed by pericytes and the basement membrane entails remodelling of LERs, leukocyte-pericyte adhesion, crawling of leukocytes on pericyte processes, and enlargement of gaps between pericytes to form channels for migrating leukocytes. Furthermore, inflamed arteriolar and capillary pericytes induce chemotactic migration of leukocytes that exit postcapillary venules, and through direct pericyte-leukocyte contact, they induce efficient interstitial migration to enhance the immunosurveillance capacity of leukocytes. Given their role as regulators of leukocyte extravasation, proper pericyte function is imperative in inflammatory disease contexts such as diabetic retinopathy and sepsis. This review summarizes research on the molecular mechanisms by which pericytes mediate leukocyte diapedesis in inflamed tissues.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 601-601
Author(s):  
Hannah Uckelmann ◽  
Sandra Blaszkiewicz ◽  
Marieke Essers

Abstract The life-long maintenance of the blood system is accomplished by a pool of self-renewing multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Adult HSCs are found in a dormant state for most of their lifetime, entering cell cycle only to maintain homeostatic blood supply. Under stress conditions such as infection or chemotherapy, the loss of mature blood cells leads to an activation of dormant HSCs to replenish the blood system. Gene expression analysis performed by our group now revealed that Matrilin-4 is highly expressed in long-term HSCs (LT-HSCs) compared to short-term HSCs or committed progenitors, suggesting a potential role of Matrilin-4 in HSC function. Matrilin-4 is a member of the von Willebrand factor A-containing family of extracellular adapter proteins, which form filamentous structures outside of cells. Using mice lacking the entire family of Matrilins (1-4) we have investigated the role of Matrilins in HSC function. Constitutive Matrilin 1-4 KO mice exhibit normal hematopoiesis with a mild reduction in bone marrow cellularity and LSK numbers. However, when Matrilin KO bone marrow cells are pushed to proliferate in competitive transplantation assays with wildtype (WT) cells, they show a striking growth advantage. In a competitive transplant setting, where bone marrow cells of Matrilin KO versus WT mice are transplanted in a 1:1 ratio, the KO cells outcompete WT cells within four weeks, reaching a 90% chimerism at 16 weeks. This competitive advantage of Matrilin KO cells is evident in the long-term stem cell level as well as progenitors and is consistent in secondary transplants. To explore this remarkable phenotype, we performed single cell transplantation experiments of LT-HSCs and observed a more rapid reconstitution of peripheral blood cell levels of KO HSCs compared to WT controls. Confirming this growth advantage, Matrilin KO LSK cells show higher colony forming and serial replating potential in vitro, which can be rescued by the addition of recombinant or overexpressed Matrilin-4. While Matrilin-4 is highly expressed in homeostatic HSCs, in vivo treatment with IFNα or other inflammatory agents, such as LPS or G-CSF result in a dramatic downregulation (25-fold) of Matrilin-4 on the transcript as well as the protein level. Moreover, Matrilin KO HSCs are more sensitive to inflammatory stress, as they show a 2-fold stronger cell cycle activation in response to IFNα in vivo. Critically, Matrilin-4 KO HSCs return to the G0 state of the cell cycle normally after stress-induced activation and transplantation, thereby preventing their exhaustion. In summary, we show that the extracellular matrix protein Matrilin-4 is a novel component of the HSC niche, regulating HSC stress response. Surprisingly, HSCs lacking this extracellular matrix protein show a higher HSC potential due to an accelerated response to stress. Our data suggest that high expression of Matrilin-4 in LT-HSCs confers a resistance to stress stimuli. In situations of acute stress such as infection or transplantation however, this protection is rapidly lost to allow HSCs to efficiently replenish the blood system. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


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