scholarly journals Roles of retinoic acid receptors in early embryonic morphogenesis and hindbrain patterning

Development ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 128 (11) ◽  
pp. 2031-2038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Wendling ◽  
Norbert B. Ghyselinck ◽  
Pierre Chambon ◽  
Manuel Mark
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptor ◽  
Axial Rotation ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptors ◽  
Retinoic Acid Signaling ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Pharyngeal Arches ◽  
Embryonic Morphogenesis ◽  
Null Mutants

Mutants mice carrying targeted inactivations of both retinoic acid receptor (RAR) α and RARγ (Aα/Aγ mutants) were analyzed at different embryonic stages, in order to establish the timing of appearance of defects that we previously observed during the fetal period. We show that embryonic day (E)9.5 Aα/Aγ embryos display severe malformations, similar to those already described in retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 null mutants. These malformations reflect early roles of retinoic acid signaling in axial rotation, segmentation and closure of the hindbrain; formation of otocysts, pharyngeal arches and forelimb buds; and in the closure of the primitive gut. The hindbrain of E8.5 Aα/Aγ embryos shows a posterior expansion of rhombomere 3 and 4 (R3 and R4) markers, but fails to express kreisler, a normal marker of R5 and R6. This abnormal hindbrain phenotype is strikingly different from that of embryos lacking RARα and RARβ (Aα/Aβmutants), in which we have previously shown that the territory corresponding to R5 and R6 is markedly enlarged. Administration of a pan-RAR antagonist at E8.0 to wild-type embryos cultured in vitro results in an Aα/Aβ-like hindbrain phenotype, whereas an earlier treatment at E7.0 yields an Aα/Aγ-like phenotype. Altogether, our data suggest that RARα and/or RARγ transduce the RA signal that is required first to specify the prospective R5/R6 territory, whereas RARβ is subsequently involved in setting up the caudal boundary of this territory.

Impaired Granulocytic Differentiation In Vitro in Hematopoietic Cells Lacking Retinoic Acid Receptors α1 and γ

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 607-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Labrecque ◽  
Deborah Allan ◽  
Pierre Chambon ◽  
Norman N. Iscove ◽  
David Lohnes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Bone Marrow Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Cell ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptors ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Granulocytic Differentiation ◽  
Marrow Cells

Transcripts for the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) α1, α2, γ1, and γ2 were found in the granulocytic lineage (Gr-1+cells) through semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The screening of single cell cDNA libraries derived from hematopoietic progenitors also showed the presence of RARα and, to a lesser extent, RARγ transcripts in committed granulocyte (colony-forming unit-granulocyte [CFU-G]) or granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) colony-forming cells. The contribution of RARα1 and γ to hematopoietic cell differentiation was therefore investigated in mice bearing targeted disruption of either one or both of these loci. Because RARγ and RARα1γ compound null mutants die shortly after birth, bone marrow cells were collected from fetuses at 18.5 days postcoitum (dpc) and evaluated for growth and differentiation in culture in the presence of Steel factor (SF), interleukin-3 (IL-3), and erythropoietin (Epo). The frequency of colony-forming cells from bone marrow populations derived from RARα1/γ double null mice was not significantly different from that of RARγ or RARα1 single nulls or from wild-type controls. In addition, the distribution of erythroid, granulocyte, and macrophage colonies was comparable between hematopoietic cells from all groups, suggesting that lineage commitment was not affected by the lack of RARα1 and/or RARγ. Colony cells were then harvested individually and evaluated by morphologic criteria. While terminal granulocyte differentiation was evident in wild-type cells and colonies from either single null mutant, colonies derived from RARα1−/−γ−/− bone marrow populations were blocked at the myelocyte and, to a lesser extent, at the metamyelocyte stages, whereas erythroid and macrophage differentiation was not affected. Together, these results indicate that both RARα1 and γ are required for terminal maturation in the granulocytic lineage in vitro, but appear to be dispensable for the early stages of hematopoietic cell development. Our results raise the possibility that in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), the different RARα fusion proteins cause differentiation arrest at a stage when further maturation requires not only RARα, but also RARγ. Finally, bone marrow cells appear to differentiate normally in vivo, suggesting an effective compensation mechanism in the RARα1/γ double null mice.

Function of the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) during development (I). Craniofacial and skeletal abnormalities in RAR double mutants

Development ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 120 (10) ◽  
pp. 2723-2748 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Lohnes ◽  
M. Mark ◽  
C. Mendelsohn ◽  
P. Dolle ◽  
A. Dierich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Congenital Malformations ◽  
Double Mutant ◽  
Congenital Abnormalities ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptor ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptors ◽  
Acid Receptor ◽  
Null Mutants

Numerous congenital malformations have been observed in fetuses of vitamin A-deficient (VAD) dams [Wilson, J. G., Roth, C. B., Warkany, J., (1953), Am. J. Anat. 92, 189–217]. Previous studies of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) mutant mice have not revealed any of these malformations [Li, E., Sucov, H. M., Lee, K.-F., Evans, R. M., Jaenisch, R. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90, 1590–1594; Lohnes, D., Kastner, P., Dierich, A., Mark, M., LeMeur, M., Chambon, P. (1993) Cell 73, 643–658; Lufkin, T., Lohnes, D., Mark, M., Dierich, A., Gorry, P., Gaub, M. P., Lemeur, M., Chambon, P. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90, 7225–7229; Mendelsohn, C., Mark, M., Dolle, P., Dierich, A., Gaub, M.P., Krust, A., Lampron, C., Chambon, P. (1994a) Dev. Biol. in press], suggesting either that there is a considerable functional redundancy among members of the RAR family during ontogenesis or that the RARs are not essential transducers of the retinoid signal in vivo. In order to discriminate between these possibilities, we have generated a series of RAR compound null mutants. These RAR double mutants invariably died either in utero or shortly after birth and presented a number of congenital abnormalities, which are reported in this and in the accompanying study. We describe here multiple eye abnormalities which are found in various RAR double mutant fetuses and are similar to those previously seen in VAD fetuses. Interestingly, we found further abnormalities not previously reported in VAD fetuses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

scholarly journals 9-cis-retinoic acid is a natural antagonist for the retinoic acid receptor response pathway

1993 ◽  
Vol 295 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Carlberg ◽  
J H Saurat ◽  
G Siegenthaler
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptor ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptors ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Receptor Response ◽  
Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
All Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
X Receptors ◽  
Dose Dependent

The pleiotropic activities of retinoids are mediated by two types of nuclear receptors, the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and the retinoid X receptors (RXRs). All-trans-retinoic acid (RA) transcriptionally activates RARs, but not RXRs, whereas its natural stereoisomer, 9-cis-RA, is the ligand for RXRs. Here, we demonstrate that 9-cis-RA did not transcriptionally activate RARs, whereas in the presence of all-trans-RA the transactivation of RARs was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by 9-cis-RA. RAR homodimer complexes were destabilized in vitro in the presence of 9-cis-RA. This suggests that 9-cis-RA may be a natural antagonist of all-trans-RA for binding to RAR complexes. The levels of 9-cis-RA may determine by which pathway the transcription of retinoid-responsive genes is modulated.

Impaired Granulocytic Differentiation In Vitro in Hematopoietic Cells Lacking Retinoic Acid Receptors α1 and γ

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 607-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Labrecque ◽  
Deborah Allan ◽  
Pierre Chambon ◽  
Norman N. Iscove ◽  
David Lohnes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Bone Marrow Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Cell ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptors ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Granulocytic Differentiation ◽  
Marrow Cells

Abstract Transcripts for the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) α1, α2, γ1, and γ2 were found in the granulocytic lineage (Gr-1+cells) through semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The screening of single cell cDNA libraries derived from hematopoietic progenitors also showed the presence of RARα and, to a lesser extent, RARγ transcripts in committed granulocyte (colony-forming unit-granulocyte [CFU-G]) or granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) colony-forming cells. The contribution of RARα1 and γ to hematopoietic cell differentiation was therefore investigated in mice bearing targeted disruption of either one or both of these loci. Because RARγ and RARα1γ compound null mutants die shortly after birth, bone marrow cells were collected from fetuses at 18.5 days postcoitum (dpc) and evaluated for growth and differentiation in culture in the presence of Steel factor (SF), interleukin-3 (IL-3), and erythropoietin (Epo). The frequency of colony-forming cells from bone marrow populations derived from RARα1/γ double null mice was not significantly different from that of RARγ or RARα1 single nulls or from wild-type controls. In addition, the distribution of erythroid, granulocyte, and macrophage colonies was comparable between hematopoietic cells from all groups, suggesting that lineage commitment was not affected by the lack of RARα1 and/or RARγ. Colony cells were then harvested individually and evaluated by morphologic criteria. While terminal granulocyte differentiation was evident in wild-type cells and colonies from either single null mutant, colonies derived from RARα1−/−γ−/− bone marrow populations were blocked at the myelocyte and, to a lesser extent, at the metamyelocyte stages, whereas erythroid and macrophage differentiation was not affected. Together, these results indicate that both RARα1 and γ are required for terminal maturation in the granulocytic lineage in vitro, but appear to be dispensable for the early stages of hematopoietic cell development. Our results raise the possibility that in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), the different RARα fusion proteins cause differentiation arrest at a stage when further maturation requires not only RARα, but also RARγ. Finally, bone marrow cells appear to differentiate normally in vivo, suggesting an effective compensation mechanism in the RARα1/γ double null mice.

Function of the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) during development (II). Multiple abnormalities at various stages of organogenesis in RAR double mutants

Development ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 120 (10) ◽  
pp. 2749-2771 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Mendelsohn ◽  
D. Lohnes ◽  
D. Decimo ◽  
T. Lufkin ◽  
M. LeMeur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Double Mutant ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptor ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptors ◽  
Urinary System ◽  
Developmental Abnormalities ◽  
Great Vessels ◽  
Multiple Abnormalities ◽  
Lower Digestive Tract

Compound null mutations of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) genes lead to lethality in utero or shortly after birth and to numerous developmental abnormalities. In the accompanying paper (Lohnes, D., Mark., M., Mendelsohn, C., Dolle, P., Dierich, A., Gorry, Ph., Gansmuller, A. and Chambon, P. (1994). Development 120, 2723–2748), we describe malformations of the head, vertebrae and limbs which, with the notable exception of the eye defects, were not observed in the offspring of vitamin A-deficient (VAD) dams. We report here abnormalities in the neck, trunk and abdominal regions of RAR double mutant mice, which include: (i) the entire respiratory tract, (ii) the heart, its outlow tract and the great vessels located near the heart, (iii) the thymus, thyroid and parathyroid glands, (iv) the diaphragm, (v) the genito-urinary system, and (vi) the lower digestive tract. A majority of these abnormalities recapitulate those observed in the fetal VAD syndrome described by Joseph Warkany's group more than fourty years ago [Wilson, J. G., Roth, C. B. and Warkany, J. (1953) Am. J. Anat., 92, 189–217; and refs therein]. Our results clearly demonstrate that RARs are essential for vertebrate ontogenesis and therefore that retinoic acid is the active retinoid, which is required at several stages of the development of numerous tissues and organs. We discuss several possibilities that may account for the apparent functional redundancy observed amongst retinoic acid receptors during embryogenesis.

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