Studies on the possible role of cyclic AMP in limb morphogenesis and differentiation

Development ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-105
Author(s):  
Robert A. Kosher ◽  
Mary P. Savage

Recent studies indicate that one of the major functions of the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) of the embryonic chick limb bud is to maintain mesenchymal cells directly subjacent to it (i.e. cells extending 0·4–0·5 mm from the AER), in a labile, undifferentiated condition, and that when mesenchymal cells are freed from the AER's influence either artificially or as a result of normal polarized proximal to distallimb outgrowth, they are freed to commence cyto-differentiation. In a preliminary attempt to investigate at a molecular level the mechanism by which the AER exerts its ‘negative’ effect on the cytodifferentiation of subjacent mesenchymal cells, we haveexamined the effect of a variety of agents that elevate cyclic AMP levels on the morphogenesis and differentiation of the unspecialized subridge mesoderm in an organ culture system. In vitro in the presence of the AER, undifferentiated subridge mesoderm explants undergo remarkably normal morphogenesis characterized primarily by progressive polarized proximal to distal outgrowth and changes in the contour of the developing explant. In the presence of cyclic AMP derivatives, explants fail to undergo the polarized outgrowth and contour changes characteristic of control explants. In fact, in the presence of dibutyryl-cyclic AMP and theophylline, AER-directed morphogenesis essentially ceases during the first day of culture. The cessation of AER-directed morphogenesis inthe presence of cyclic AMP derivatives is accompanied by the histochemically and biochemically detectable precocious chondrogenic differentiation of the subridge mesenchymal cells. In control explants, cartilage differentiation only occurs in those proximal cellsof the explant which gradually become located greater than 0·4–0·5 mm from the AER. In contrast, in the presence of cyclic AMP derivatives, cartilage differentiation by cells within 0·4–0·5 mm of the AER is detectable from the first day of culture, and by the third day cartilage formation has occurred throughout the entire explant. Overall, these results indicate that elevating the cyclic AMP content of the subridge mesenchymal cells enables the cells to overcome negative influences on cytodifferentiation and the positive influences on morphogenesis being imposed upon them by the AER. On the basis of this observation and previous studies, a testable model on the role of cyclic AMP in limb morphogenesis and differentiation is proposed.

Development ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-81
Author(s):  
J.A. Bee ◽  
R. Jeffries

Under standard culture conditions, chondrogenic expression by stage-21 embryonic chick limb bud mesenchyme is dependent upon high cell plating densities. Alternatively, when cultured in suspension aggregating limb bud cells differentiate exclusively as cartilage. We have previously demonstrated that the aggregation of prechondrogenic limb bud cells is specifically mediated by a Ca2+ -dependent mechanism. In the present paper, we examine the involvement of calcium cations in chondrogenic expression in vitro. During cartilage differentiation, we demonstrate that limb bud cells elevate their intracellular Ca2+ levels to achieve a conserved plateau level. This increase in intracellular Ca2+ levels does not occur in sparse cell cultures, which also fail to demonstrate cartilage differentiation. Although elevation of extracellular Ca2+ concentration effects precocious chondrogenesis, ultimately this is substantially lower than in control cultures. In contrast, elevation of intracellular Ca2+ levels by the addition of 0á1 μm-A23187 readily stimulates precocious and extensive cartilage differentiation. 0á1μm-A23187 initially elevates intracellular Ca2+ levels to that required for cartilage differentiation but this then continues to increase concomitant with a reduction in cartilage nodule size. 10μm-retinoic acid completely inhibits chondrogenesis in vitro and elevates intracellular Ca2+ to particularly high levels. Our data indicate the central role of controlled intracellular Ca2+ levels to normal chondrogenic expression. Deviation from this level by cells that either fail to achieve or that exceed it inhibits subsequent cartilage development, and can cause a loss of phenotypic expression by differentiated cartilage.


Development ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-173
Author(s):  
Madeleine Gumpel-Pinot

The wing mesoderm of the chick embryo cultured in vitro without ectoderm is able to differentiate into cartilage from stage 17 (Hamburger & Hamilton, 1951). But before this stage the presence of ectoderm is necessary. In transfilter cultures of wing-bud ectoderm and mesoderm, the mesodermal response as measured by chondrogenesis was directly related to the pore size (0·2–1 μm) of the filter. Filters of 0·2 μm pore size and 10 μm thickness gave no increase in chondrogenesis over that of mesoderm cultures alone. The lower face of filters on the upper face of which mesoderm or ectoderm had been cultured was observed by scanning electron microscopy. With ectoderm, no cell processes crossed the filter. In contrast, with mesoderm, cell processes crossed the filter and this was also related to pore size. A good correlation was observed between the mass and density of processes crossing the filter and the mesodermal response. It is concluded that induction of cartilage in limb mesoderm cannot be classified as a ‘long-range transmission’ system. It requires ectoderm and mesoderm to be separated by a very narrow gap and this condition can be brought about in vitro by extension of mesodermal processes through the filter close to the ectoderm. The results are discussed in relation to a possible role of the basement membrane and associated extracellular matrix in limb cartilage induction.


1992 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 193-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
George G Zhanel ◽  
Daryl J Hoban ◽  
Godfrey KM Harding

Antimicrobial activity is not an ‘all or none’ effect. An increase in the rate and extent of antimicrobial action is usually observed over a wide range of antimicrobial concentrations. Subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations are well known to produce significant antibacterial effects, and various antimicrobials at subinhibitory concentrations have been reported to inhibit the rate of bacterial growth. Bacterial virulence may be increased or decreased by subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations by changes in the ability of bacteria to adhere to epithelial cells or by alterations in bacterial susceptibility to host immune defences. Animal studies performed in rats, hamsters and rabbits demonstrate decreased bacterial adherence, reduced infectivity and increased survival of animals treated with subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations compared to untreated controls. The major future role of investigation of subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations will be to define more fully, at a molecular level, how antimicrobials exert their antibacterial effects.


Development ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Vogel ◽  
C. Tickle

The polarizing region is a major signalling tissue involved in patterning the tissues of the vertebrate limb. The polarizing region is located at the posterior margin of the limb bud and can be recognized by its ability to induce additional digits when grafted to the anterior margin of a chick limb bud. The signal from the polarizing region operates at the tip of the bud in the progress zone, a zone of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells, maintained by interactions with the apical ectodermal ridge. A number of observations have pointed to a link between the apical ectodermal ridge and signalling by the polarizing region. To test this possibility, we removed the posterior apical ectodermal ridge of chick wing buds and assayed posterior mesenchyme for polarizing activity. When the apical ectodermal ridge is removed, there is a marked decrease in polarizing activity of posterior cells. The posterior apical ectodermal ridge is known to express FGF-4 and we show that the decrease in polarizing activity of posterior cells of wing buds that normally follows ridge removal can be prevented by implanting a FGF-4-soaked bead. Furthermore, we show that both ectoderm and FGF-4 maintain polarizing activity of limb bud cells in culture.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
An Liu ◽  
Wenyuan Shi ◽  
Dongdong Lin ◽  
Haihui Ye

C-type allatostatins (C-type ASTs) are a family of structurally related neuropeptides found in a wide range of insects and crustaceans. To date, the C-type allatostatin receptor in crustaceans has not been deorphaned, and little is known about its physiological functions. In this study, we aimed to functionally define a C-type ASTs receptor in the mud crab, Scylla paramamosian. We showed that C-type ASTs receptor can be activated by ScypaAST-C peptide in a dose-independent manner and by ScypaAST-CCC peptide in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 6.683 nM. Subsequently, in vivo and in vitro experiments were performed to investigate the potential roles of ScypaAST-C and ScypaAST-CCC peptides in the regulation of ecdysone (20E) and methyl farnesoate (MF) biosynthesis. The results indicated that ScypaAST-C inhibited biosynthesis of 20E in the Y-organ, whereas ScypaAST-CCC had no effect on the production of 20E. In addition, qRT-PCR showed that both ScypaAST-C and ScypaAST-CCC significantly decreased the level of expression of the MF biosynthetic enzyme gene in the mandibular organ, suggesting that the two neuropeptides have a negative effect on the MF biosynthesis in mandibular organs. In conclusion, this study provided new insight into the physiological roles of AST-C in inhibiting ecdysone biosynthesis. Furthermore, it was revealed that AST-C family peptides might inhibit MF biosynthesis in crustaceans.


Development ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 325-339
Author(s):  
T. E. Kwasigroch ◽  
D. M. Kochhar

Two techniques were used to examine the effect of vitamin A compounds (vitamin A acid = retinoic acid and vitamin A acetate) upon the relative strengths of adhesion among mouse limb-bud mesenchymal cells. Treatment with retinoic acid in vivo and with vitamin A acetate in vitro reduced the rate at which the fragments of mesenchyme rounded-up when cultured on a non-adhesive substratum, but these compounds did not alter the behavior of tissues tested in fragment-fusion experiments. These conflicting results indicate that the two tests measure different activities of cells and suggest that treatment with vitamin A alters the property(ies) of cells which regulate the internal viscosity of tissues.


Development ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 122 (5) ◽  
pp. 1385-1394 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. Helms ◽  
C.H. Kim ◽  
G. Eichele ◽  
C. Thaller

In the chick limb bud, the zone of polarizing activity controls limb patterning along the anteroposterior and proximodistal axes. Since retinoic acid can induce ectopic polarizing activity, we examined whether this molecule plays a role in the establishment of the endogenous zone of polarizing activity. Grafts of wing bud mesenchyme treated with physiologic doses of retinoic acid had weak polarizing activity but inclusion of a retinoic acid-exposed apical ectodermal ridge or of prospective wing bud ectoderm evoked strong polarizing activity. Likewise, polarizing activity of prospective wing mesenchyme was markedly enhanced by co-grafting either a retinoic acid-exposed apical ectodermal ridge or ectoderm from the wing region. This equivalence of ectoderm-mesenchyme interactions required for the establishment of polarizing activity in retinoic acid-treated wing buds and in prospective wing tissue, suggests a role of retinoic acid in the establishment of the zone of polarizing activity. We found that prospective wing bud tissue is a high-point of retinoic acid synthesis. Furthermore, retinoid receptor-specific antagonists blocked limb morphogenesis and down-regulated a polarizing signal, sonic hedgehog. Limb agenesis was reversed when antagonist-exposed wing buds were treated with retinoic acid. Our results demonstrate a role of retinoic acid in the establishment of the endogenous zone of polarizing activity.


1979 ◽  
Vol 237 (5) ◽  
pp. C200-C204 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Stewart ◽  
J. Sax ◽  
R. Funk ◽  
A. K. Sen

Stimulation of salt galnd secretion in domestic ducks in vivo increased the cyclic GMP concentration of the tissue, but had no effect on cyclic AMP levels. Methacholine, which is known to stimulate sodium transport by the glands both in vivo and in vitro, stimulated ouabain-sensitive respiration in salt gland slices. Cyclic GMP stimulated ouabain-sensitive respiration to the same extent as methacholine. Guanylate cyclase stimulators, hydroxylamine and sodium azide, also stimulated ouabain-sensitive respiration. The stimulation of ouabain-sensitive respiration by methacholine was blocked either by atropine or by removal of calcium from the incubation medium. The stimulation of ouabain-sensitive respiration by cyclic GMP still occurred in the absence of calcium. The above observations seem to indicate that cyclic GMP acts as a tertiary link in the process of stimulus-secretion coupling in the tissue.


1989 ◽  
Vol 257 (2) ◽  
pp. 399-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Négrel ◽  
D Gaillard ◽  
G Ailhaud

The terminal differentiation of Ob1771 pre-adipose cells induced by arachidonic acid in serum-free hormone-supplemented medium containing insulin, transferrin, growth hormone, tri-iodothyronine and fetuin (5F medium) was strongly diminished in the presence of inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis, namely aspirin or indomethacin. Carbaprostacyclin, a stable analogue of prostacyclin (prostaglandin I2) known to be synthesized by pre-adipocytes and adipocytes, behaved as an efficient activator of cyclic AMP production and was able, when added to 5F medium, to mimic the adipogenic effect of arachidonic acid. Prostaglandins E2, F2 alpha and D2, unable to affect the cyclic AMP production, failed to substitute for carbaprostacyclin. However, prostaglandin F2 alpha, which is another metabolite of arachidonic acid in pre-adipose and adipose cells, able to promote inositol phospholipid breakdown and protein kinase C activation, potentiated the adipogenic effect of carbaprostacyclin. In addition, carbaprostacyclin enhanced both a limited proliferation and terminal differentiation of adipose precursor cells isolated from rodent and human adipose tissues maintained in primary culture. These results demonstrate the critical role of prostacyclin and prostaglandin F2 alpha on adipose conversion in vitro and suggest a paracrine/autocrine role of both prostanoids in the development of adipose tissue in vivo.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1325
Author(s):  
Tal Tamari ◽  
Rawan Kawar-Jaraisy ◽  
Ofri Doppelt ◽  
Ben Giladi ◽  
Nadin Sabbah ◽  
...  

Vascularization is a prerequisite for bone formation. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) stimulate bone formation by creating a vascular network. Moreover, EPCs secrete various bioactive molecules that may regulate bone formation. The aim of this research was to shed light on the pathways of EPCs in bone formation. In a subcutaneous nude mouse ectopic bone model, the transplantation of human EPCs onto β-TCP scaffold increased angiogenesis (p < 0.001) and mineralization (p < 0.01), compared to human neonatal dermal fibroblasts (HNDF group) and a-cellular scaffold transplantation (β-TCP group). Human EPCs were lining blood vessels lumen; however, the majority of the vessels originated from endogenous mouse endothelial cells at a higher level in the EPC group (p < 01). Ectopic mineralization was mostly found in the EPCs group, and can be attributed to the recruitment of endogenous mesenchymal cells ten days after transplantation (p < 0.0001). Stromal derived factor-1 gene was expressed at high levels in EPCs and controlled the migration of mesenchymal and endothelial cells towards EPC conditioned medium in vitro. Blocking SDF-1 receptors on both cells abolished cell migration. In conclusion, EPCs contribute to osteogenesis mainly by the secretion of SDF-1, that stimulates homing of endothelial and mesenchymal cells. This data may be used to accelerate bone formation in the future.


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