Fine structure of the regressing interdigital membranes during the formation of the digits of the chick embryo leg bud

Development ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 195-209
Author(s):  
J. M. Hurle ◽  
M. A. Fernandez-Teran

There is recent evidence showing that in addition to the well-known mesenchymal necrotic mechanism involved in the disappearance of the interdigital membranes, the ectodermal tissue may also play an active role in the formation of the free digits of most vertebrates. Ultrastructural study of the regressing interdigital membrane of the chick leg revealed significant changes at the epitheliomesenchymal interface. Disruptions of the ectodermal basal lamina and an intense deposition of collagenous material were the most conspicuous changes observed in the extracellular matrix. In addition the basal ectodermal cells showed prominent cell processes projected into the mesenchymal core of the membrane, and mesenchymal macrophages appeared to migrate through the epithelial tissue to be detached into the amniotic sac. It is concluded from our results that the elimination of the interdigital membranes is a complex process requiring the interaction of all the tissue components of the membrane.

1992 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 373-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.T. Armstrong ◽  
P.B. Armstrong

The processes responsible for epithelial spreading during wound healing and embryonic morphogenesis were investigated in an organ culture model in which an epithelial tissue (chick embryo pigmented retinal epithelium) spread over the surface of an aggregate of mesenchyme cells (chick embryo cardiac mesenchyme). The heart mesenchyme aggregate is differentiated into a core of stellate cells associated with a fibronectin-poor matrix surrounded by a cortical zone, 2–5 cells in thickness, of flattened cells embedded in a fibronectin-rich extracellular matrix. Envelopment of the mesenchyme aggregate is accompanied by a movement of the cells and the fibronectin-rich extracellular matrix of the cortex over the core tissue in advance of the spreading pigmented retina tissue. Three distinct processes were identified as contributing to epithelial spreading in this system: (1) active migration of the pigmented retinal epithelium; (2) active contraction of the cortical cells of the mesenchyme aggregate to tow the attached epithelial tissue over the mesenchyme aggregate; and (3) ingression of surface-located cells of the mesenchyme aggregate to decrease the exposed surface area by decreasing the number of cells at the surface.


Development ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-210
Author(s):  
J. M. Hurle ◽  
M. A. Fernandez-Teran

Fine structural study of interdigital membranes during formation of the digits of the duck foot reveals that the interdigital necrosis is accompanied by a high deposition of collagenous material in the epithelio—mesenchymal interface, rupture of the basal lamina and detachment of ectodermal cells into the amniotic sac. These changes are similar to those observed in the regressing interdigital membrane of the chick although their intensity and temporal extension are less pronounced in the duck. It is suggested that these changes account for the disappearance of the marginal zone of the duck interdigital membranes. The possible causal relationship between the different structural changes are discussed.


1985 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-136
Author(s):  
J.D. Aplin ◽  
S. Campbell ◽  
T.D. Allen

Ultrastructural comparisons have been made between human amnion extracellular matrix in tissue and cell culture. Immunochemical analysis of matrix deposited by monolayers of cultured amnion epithelial cells has also been undertaken. The basal cell surfaces are highly invaginated with an associated basal lamina that is more electron dense at the distal tips of basal cell processes where hemidesmosomes are frequent. Immediately below the lamina densa is a zone rich in collagen bundles. In the underlying stroma two types of fibril predominate, one striated of 50 nm diameter and one of 18 nm diameter. The observations suggest that at gestational term the epithelial cells are still active in the production of matrix. Secretion appears to occur into invaginations in the basal cell surface where a loosely organized mixture of stromal-type and basal laminal-type aggregates is formed. In culture on plastic, cells also deposit a mixture of basal laminal (type IV collagen + laminin) and stromal (collagens type I + III) components as well as fibronectin. However, segregation into a true basal lamina with underlying stroma does not occur in vitro, suggesting the need for an organized subcellular template to complete matrix morphogenesis. The in vitro and in vivo evidence suggest that the epithelium contributes to the subjacent dense collagenous zone as well as to the basal lamina.


Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Pau Urdeitx ◽  
Mohamed H. Doweidar

Mechanical and electrical stimuli play a key role in tissue formation, guiding cell processes such as cell migration, differentiation, maturation, and apoptosis. Monitoring and controlling these stimuli on in vitro experiments is not straightforward due to the coupling of these different stimuli. In addition, active and reciprocal cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix interactions are essential to be considered during formation of complex tissue such as myocardial tissue. In this sense, computational models can offer new perspectives and key information on the cell microenvironment. Thus, we present a new computational 3D model, based on the Finite Element Method, where a complex extracellular matrix with piezoelectric properties interacts with cardiac muscle cells during the first steps of tissue formation. This model includes collective behavior and cell processes such as cell migration, maturation, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. The model has employed to study the initial stages of in vitro cardiac aggregate formation, considering cell–cell junctions, under different extracellular matrix configurations. Three different cases have been purposed to evaluate cell behavior in fibered, mechanically stimulated fibered, and mechanically stimulated piezoelectric fibered extra-cellular matrix. In this last case, the cells are guided by the coupling of mechanical and electrical stimuli. Accordingly, the obtained results show the formation of more elongated groups and enhancement in cell proliferation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
Nithya Subrahmanyam ◽  
Hamidreza Ghandehari

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an active role in cell life through a tightly controlled reciprocal relationship maintained by several fibrous proteins, enzymes, receptors, and other components. It is also highly involved in cancer progression. Because of its role in cancer etiology, the ECM holds opportunities for cancer therapy on several fronts. There are targets in the tumor-associated ECM at the level of signaling molecules, enzyme expression, protein structure, receptor interactions, and others. In particular, the ECM is implicated in invasiveness of tumors through its signaling interactions with cells. By capitalizing on the biology of the tumor microenvironment and the opportunities it presents for intervention, the ECM has been investigated as a therapeutic target, to facilitate drug delivery, and as a prognostic or diagnostic marker for tumor progression and therapeutic intervention. This review summarizes the tumor ECM biology as it relates to drug delivery with emphasis on design parameters targeting the ECM.


Development ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-108
Author(s):  
Carla Falugi ◽  
Margherita Raineri

The distribution of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and pseudocholinesterase (BuChE) activities was studied by histochemical, quantitative and electrophoretical methods during the early development of chick limbs, from stage 16 to stage 32 H.H. (Hamburger & Hamilton, 1951). By quantitative methods, true AChE activity was found, and increased about threefold during the developmental period, together with a smaller amount of BuChE which increased more rapidly in comparison with the AChE activity from stage 25 to 32 H.H. Cholinesterase activity was histochemically localized mainly in interacting tissues, such as the ectoderm (including the apical ectodermal ridge) and the underlying mesenchyme. True AChE was histochemically localized around the nuclei and on the plasma membrane of ectodermal (including AER) and mesenchymal cells, and at the plasma membrane of mesenchymal cell processes reaching the basal lamina between the ectoderm and the mesenchyme. AChE together with BuChE activity was found in the basal lamina between the ectoderm and the mesenchyme, in underlying mesenchymal cells and in deeper mesenchymal cells, especially during their transformation into unexpressed chondrocytes. During limb morphogenesis, the cellular and regional localization of the enzyme activities showed variations depending on the stage of development and on the occurrence of interactions. The possibility of morphogenetic functions of the enzyme is discussed.


1993 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
G M Bressan ◽  
D Daga-Gordini ◽  
A Colombatti ◽  
I Castellani ◽  
V Marigo ◽  
...  

The fine distribution of the extracellular matrix glycoprotein emilin (previously known as glycoprotein gp115) (Bressan, G. M., I. Castellani, A. Colombatti, and D. Volpin. 1983. J. Biol. Chem. 258: 13262-13267) has been studied at the ultrastructural level with specific antibodies. In newborn chick aorta the protein was exclusively found within elastic fibers. In both post- and pre-embedding immunolabeling emilin was mainly associated with regions where elastin and microfibrils are in close contact, such as the periphery of the fibers. This localization of emilin in aorta has been confirmed by quantitative evaluation of the distribution of gold particles within elastic fibers. In other tissues, besides being associated with typical elastic fibers, staining for emilin was found in structures lacking amorphous elastin, but where the presence of tropoelastin has been demonstrated by immunoelectron microscopy. This was particularly evident in the oxitalan fibers of the corneal stroma, in the Descemet's membrane, and in the ciliary zonule. Analysis of embryonic aorta revealed the presence of emilin at early stages of elastogenesis, before the appearance of amorphous elastin. Immunofluorescence studies have shown that emilin produced by chick embryo aorta cells in culture is strictly associated with elastin and that the process of elastin deposition is severely altered by the presence of antiemilin antibodies in the culture medium. The name of the protein was derived from its localization at sites where elastin and microfibrils are in proximity (emilin, elastin microfibril interface located protein).


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