Biomaterial Database

Extracellular matrix modifications in the interdigital spaces of the chick embryo leg bud during the formation of ectopic digits. 1996

J M Hurle, and A Colombatti

Departamento de Anatomía y Biología Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain.

In previous studies we have observed that the interdigital mesenchyme of the chick leg bud, in the stages preceding the onset of cell death, retains a significant regulatory potential, forming ectopic extra digits under a variety of surgical manipulations. Most evidence suggests that interdigital extra digits are caused by the abolition of local antichondrogenic effects operating in the interdigital spaces under normal conditions rather than by modifications of the signalling mechanisms accounting for the normal patterning of the digits in early stages of development. The interdigital spaces exhibit a complex scaffold of extracellular matrix with well-defined domains of spatial distribution of type I and type VI collagens, tenascin, fibronectin, laminin and elastic matrix components that have been proposed to play a role in the establishment of the non-chondrogenic fate of the interdigital tissue in situ. In an attempt to analyze this possible role of the interdigital extracellular matrix (ECM), in the present work we have studied changes in the pattern of ECM distribution associated with the formation of extra digits. Extra digits were induced by making a T-cut in the third interdigital space of the leg but of stage 29 HH chick embryos. Subsequent modifications of the ECM were detected immunohistochemically in whole-mount specimens using laser confocal microscopy. Our results reveal that in the first hours after the operation, changes in the ECM apparently related to the healing of the wound cause a significant reorganization of the normal ECM scaffold of the interdigit. In addition, chondrogenesis of the interdigital tissue is preceded by disappearance of elastin fibers in the interdigital mesenchyme subjacent to the wound and by an intense deposition of tenascin. Tenascin deposition and loss of the elastin fibrillar scaffold were also observed preceding chondrogenesis in fragments of interdigital tissue explanted to culture conditions. The significance of these observations in relation to the establishment of the skeletal elements of the autopodium is discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008562	Membrane Glycoproteins	Glycoproteins found on the membrane or surface of cells.	Cell Surface Glycoproteins,Surface Glycoproteins,Cell Surface Glycoprotein,Membrane Glycoprotein,Surface Glycoprotein,Glycoprotein, Cell Surface,Glycoprotein, Membrane,Glycoprotein, Surface,Glycoproteins, Cell Surface,Glycoproteins, Membrane,Glycoproteins, Surface,Surface Glycoprotein, Cell,Surface Glycoproteins, Cell
D009024	Morphogenesis	The development of anatomical structures to create the form of a single- or multi-cell organism. Morphogenesis provides form changes of a part, parts, or the whole organism.
D009924	Organ Culture Techniques	A technique for maintenance or growth of animal organs in vitro. It refers to three-dimensional cultures of undisaggregated tissue retaining some or all of the histological features of the tissue in vivo. (Freshney, Culture of Animal Cells, 3d ed, p1)	Organ Culture,Culture Technique, Organ,Culture Techniques, Organ,Organ Culture Technique,Organ Cultures
D002642	Chick Embryo	The developmental entity of a fertilized chicken egg (ZYGOTE). The developmental process begins about 24 h before the egg is laid at the BLASTODISC, a small whitish spot on the surface of the EGG YOLK. After 21 days of incubation, the embryo is fully developed before hatching.	Embryo, Chick,Chick Embryos,Embryos, Chick
D003094	Collagen	A polypeptide substance comprising about one third of the total protein in mammalian organisms. It is the main constituent of SKIN; CONNECTIVE TISSUE; and the organic substance of bones (BONE AND BONES) and teeth (TOOTH).	Avicon,Avitene,Collagen Felt,Collagen Fleece,Collagenfleece,Collastat,Dermodress,Microfibril Collagen Hemostat,Pangen,Zyderm,alpha-Collagen,Collagen Hemostat, Microfibril,alpha Collagen
D004549	Elastin		alpha-Elastin,kappa-Elastin,alpha Elastin,kappa Elastin
D005109	Extracellular Matrix	A meshwork-like substance found within the extracellular space and in association with the basement membrane of the cell surface. It promotes cellular proliferation and provides a supporting structure to which cells or cell lysates in culture dishes adhere.	Matrix, Extracellular,Extracellular Matrices,Matrices, Extracellular
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D018613	Microscopy, Confocal	A light microscopic technique in which only a small spot is illuminated and observed at a time. An image is constructed through point-by-point scanning of the field in this manner. Light sources may be conventional or laser, and fluorescence or transmitted observations are possible.	Confocal Microscopy,Confocal Microscopy, Scanning Laser,Laser Microscopy,Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy,Laser Scanning Microscopy,Microscopy, Confocal, Laser Scanning,Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy,Confocal Microscopies,Laser Microscopies,Laser Scanning Microscopies,Microscopies, Confocal,Microscopies, Laser,Microscopies, Laser Scanning,Microscopy, Laser,Microscopy, Laser Scanning,Scanning Microscopies, Laser,Scanning Microscopy, Laser
D018878	Limb Buds	Distinct regions of mesenchymal outgrowth at both flanks of an embryo during the SOMITE period. Limb buds, covered by ECTODERM, give rise to forelimb, hindlimb, and eventual functional limb structures. Limb bud cultures are used to study CELL DIFFERENTIATION; ORGANOGENESIS; and MORPHOGENESIS.	Limb Bud,Bud, Limb,Buds, Limb