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Biomedical subjects

J M Richman

Publications and source records attributed to J M Richman.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Induction of molecular layer ectopias by puncture wounds in newborn rats and mice.

Molecular layer ectopias spontaneously occur in immune-disordered mice, and the accompanying paper demonstrates that these ectopias are associated with a break in the external glial limiting membrane and with distortion of radial glial fibers at birth. It was hypothesized that injury to the developing neocortex is the main etiologic event for molecular layer ectopias. To test this hypothesis, puncture wounds were made on the surface of the cerebral cortex of newborn rats and mice. These wounds produced, in adulthood, molecular layer ectopias similar in appearance to those seen spontaneously in immune-disordered mice. Further, these ectopias show similar distortions of radial glial fibers during development, and of neurofilaments in adulthood. This work supports the notion that injury could be a factor in the production of molecular layer ectopias.

Aging

Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in the outgrowth of limb buds and facial primordia in chick embryos.

The facial primordia in the chick embryo begin as rounded swellings that surround the primitive mouth and these grow out to form the beak. The control of proximodistal outgrowth is not well understood but may involve similar mechanisms to the limb bud. In order to test this hypothesis, combinations were made between epithelium and mesenchyme from facial primordia and limb buds. Signals from all three types of facial mesenchyme (frontonasal mass, mandibular, and maxillary) maintained the thickened apical ectodermal ridge of limb epithelium for up to 48 h. Combinations of tissues from the frontonasal mass mesenchyme and limb epithelium underwent substantial and correct morphogenesis. In contrast, poor development was observed in combinations with mandibular mesenchyme. Signals from frontonasal mass epithelium promoted outgrowth and morphogenesis of limb mesenchyme whereas mandibular and maxillary epithelium did not support joint morphogenesis. The results suggest that signals employed in the epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in facial primordia are similar but not identical to those signals used in the limb bud.

Animals

The role of retinoids in normal and abnormal embryonic craniofacial morphogenesis.

The objective of this article is to evaluate the role of retinoids in the developing head and face. This article covers two lines of evidence that strongly support a role for retinoids in craniofacial development. First, the specific effects of exogenous retinoids on the head and face are covered and mechanisms for the specificity discussed. Second, the function of endogenous retinoids in facial development is discussed in relation to the distribution of retinoid-binding substances in the face. Finally, the interaction of retinoids with other genes known to be expressed in the face as well as other factors required for facial growth is discussed.

Animals

Development of the spatial pattern of retinoic acid receptor-beta transcripts in embryonic chick facial primordia.

Retinoic acid causes a range of embryonic defects, including craniofacial abnormalities, in both birds and mammals and is believed to have a number of roles in normal development. We have previously shown that the distribution of retinoic acid receptor-beta (RAR-beta) transcripts is spatially restricted within the neural-crest-derived upper beak primordia of the chick embryo. We have now used in situ hybridisation to trace the distribution of RAR-beta transcripts during the migration of cranial neural crest cells and during formation of these primordia. RAR-beta transcripts were present in a subset of migrating neural-crest-derived cells in the head of the stage 10 embryo. These cells were situated in pathways followed by cells that migrate from the neural crest overlying the posterior prosencephalic/anterior mesencephalic region of the developing brain. Cells containing RAR-beta transcripts accumulated around the developing eyes and in the regions of the ventral head from which the upper beak primordia later develop. We mapped the distribution of RAR-beta transcripts as the facial primordia were forming, with particular reference to the development of the maxillary primordia. We found that these form in a region of the ventral head that includes the boundary between regions of high and low levels of RAR-beta transcripts. The boundary between these two groups of cells persisted as the maxillary primordia developed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Retinoic acid treatment alters the distribution of retinoic acid receptor-beta transcripts in the embryonic chick face.

Retinoic acid is a metabolite of vitamin A that can act as a signalling molecule in a number of developmental systems. Retinoic acid is also known to be teratogenic in mammals, causing a range of defects including abnormalities in craniofacial development. Exposure of the developing chick face to retinoic acid released slowly from a bead implanted in the wing bud results in a specific facial defect, in which outgrowth of the frontonasal mass is inhibited. This results in clefting of the primary palate and absence of the upper beak. To investigate the role of nuclear retinoic acid receptors in normal and abnormal chick face morphogenesis, we isolated chick retinoic acid receptor-beta (RAR-beta) cDNA clones and probed northern blots of RNA isolated from chick embryos at stages 22, 24 and 25 and from adults. RAR-beta transcripts of 2.8 and 3.5 kb were present in several regions of the embryo, including the facial primordia, and were also present at much lower levels in adult tissues. In situ hybridisation showed that RAR-beta transcripts were present in all of the facial primordia at embryonic stages 20, 24 and 28, but that their distribution was not uniform. Transcripts were abundant in the lateral nasal processes, at the edges and corners of the frontonasal mass and in the anterior part of the maxillary primordia. Lower levels were present elsewhere. Treatment of stage 20 embryos with retinoic acid altered the distribution of RAR-beta transcripts in the maxillary primordia, such that high levels of transcripts were present throughout, rather than being confined to the anterior part. This change was detectable at stage 24, before any alterations in the morphology of the facial primordia were apparent. By stage 28, when the morphology of the facial primordia was clearly abnormal, there were more widespread changes in the distribution of RAR-beta transcripts. These results show that RAR-beta transcripts are particularly concentrated in regions of the primordia that give rise to the upper beak, the development of which is specifically affected by retinoic acid. In addition, they demonstrate that retinoic acid can induce changes in the pattern of expression of RAR-beta transcripts in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence

Differential growth of facial primordia in chick embryos: responses of facial mesenchyme to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and serum in micromass culture.

Differential growth of the three major facial primordia, the frontonasal mass, maxilla and mandible, results in a characteristic face shape. Abnormal growth of any of the primordia can lead to facial defects. In order to dissect out the factors that control growth, we developed a functional assay for cell proliferation using micromass culture and defined medium. Cell number was determined over a 4 day period and BrdU incorporation was used to determine the percentage of cells in S-phase. In defined medium, cell number progressively decreases and proliferation is very reduced in cultures of cells from all three primordia. When foetal calf serum was added, frontonasal mass cell number triples, mandible doubles and maxilla increases by half. The number of cells in S-phase increased in every case but the final cell number reflects a balance between proliferation and cell loss from the culture. The addition of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to defined medium leads to an increase in cell number in the frontonasal mass, while the cell number of mandibular and maxillary cultures is relatively unaffected. The percentage of cells in S-phase is highest in frontonasal mass cultures. Serum and bFGF both increase chondrogenesis in frontonasal mass cultures when compared to defined medium. In contrast in mandibular cultures, serum does not change the amount of cartilage and with bFGF chondrogenesis is reduced. The coordination of the changes in proliferation and differentiation in frontonasal mass cultures suggest that either these two processes are independently stimulated to the same extent or a single subpopulation of cells is stimulated to divide and differentiate into chondrocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Epithelia are interchangeable between facial primordia of chick embryos and morphogenesis is controlled by the mesenchyme.

The embryonic chick face is composed of a series of facial primordia, epithelium-covered buds of mesenchyme, which surround the presumptive mouth. The protruding adult upper beak containing the prenasal cartilage is formed from the frontonasal mass, the paired maxillary primordia form the sides of the face, while the lower beak is derived from the paired mandibular primordia which contain the two Meckel's cartilages. When grafted to a host wing bud, the frontonasal mass and the mandibular primordia both form elongated outgrowths, whereas the maxillary primordium forms a ball of tissue. Facial epithelium is required for growth and morphogenesis of all primordia. Recombinations between epithelium and mesenchyme from different primordia show that the epithelia are interchangeable and appear to be equivalent. Even the epithelium from the maxillary primordium that does not grow out in a polarized fashion can support outgrowth of the frontonasal mass and mandibular mesenchyme. The form of the recombined graft is determined by the mesenchymal component.

Animals

The fate of Meckel's cartilage chondrocytes in ocular culture.

Modulation of the chondrocyte phenotype was observed in an organ culture system using Meckel's cartilage. First branchial arch cartilage was dissected from fetal rats of 16- and 17-day gestation. Perichondrium was mechanically removed, cartilage was split at the rostral process, and each half was grafted into the anterior chamber of an adult rat eye. The observed pattern of development in nonirradiated specimens was the following: hypertrophy of the rostral process and endochondral-type ossification, fibrous atrophy in the midsection, and mineralization of the malleus and incus. A change in matrix composition of the implanted cartilage was demonstrated with immunofluorescence staining for cartilage-specific proteoglycan (CSPG). After 15 days of culture, CSPG was found in the auricular process but not in the midsection or rostral process. In order to mark the implanted cells and follow their fate, cartilage was labeled in vitro with [3H]thymidine [3H]TdR). Immediately after labeling 20% of the chondrocytes contained [3H]TdR. After culturing for 5 days, 20% of the chondrocytes were still labeled and 10% of the osteogenic cells also contained radioactive label. The labeling index decreased in both cell types with increased duration of culture. Multinucleated clast-type cells did not contain label. Additional cartilages not labeled with [3H]TdR were exposed to between 20000 and 6000 rad of gamma irradiation before ocular implantation. Irradiated cartilage did not hypertrophy or form bone but a fibrous region developed in the midsection. Cells of the host animal were not induced to form bone around the irradiated cartilage. Our studies suggest that fully differentiated chondrocytes of Meckel's cartilage have the capacity to become osteocytes, osteoblasts, and fibroblasts.

Animals

An immunofluorescence study of chondrogenesis in murine mandibular ectomesenchyme.

The temporal and spatial distribution of type I collagen, type II collagen, cartilage-specific proteoglycan (CSPG) and fibronectin in mouse mandible is described. CD-1 mouse embryos of 12-, 15-, and 18-day gestation were used, and matrix molecules were localized using indirect immunofluorescence. On day 12, accumulation of type II collagen, CSPG, and fibronectin within regions of condensed mesenchyme was noted. On day 15, intense staining for type II collagen and CSPG occurred. Fibronectin was less brilliant with its greatest concentration near the perichondrium. On day 18, the cartilage matrix was undergoing osseous replacement concurrent with loss of type II collagen and CSPG. Type I collagen was seen in the perichondrium, membranous bone and sub-basement membrane region in specimens of all ages. Synthesis and expression of extracellular matrix molecules reflect patterns of differentiation in mandibular mesenchyme.

Animals

Tooth induction and temporal patterning in palatal epithelium of fetal mice.

The present study examined the effect of aging on epithelium and on its ability to respond to an inductive stimulus provided by murine dental papillae. In fetal CD-1 mice, 15- to 17-day molar mesenchyme was combined with 15- to 19-day epithelium from the secondary palates. Enamel organs were separated from the dental papillae, and palatal epithelium was peeled away from its underlying mesenchyme after treatment with 1% trypsin. Recombinants of epithelium and papillae were initially cultured on a solidified complex medium for 24 hr followed by an additional 10-14 days of intraocular explanation. Control specimens consisted of isolated molar papillae. Nineteen of 88 isochronal, heterotypic recombinations formed teeth. None of the 46 heterochronal, heterotypic grafts of 18- and 19-day palatal epithelium combined with 15- to 17-day molar papillae-produced teeth. Instead, keratin-filled epithelial cysts and bone spicules were formed. Isolated control molar papillae often formed bone in the intraocular sites but did not form teeth or contain epithelium. These results show that palatal epithelium is first restricted to its developmental pathway at 18 days of gestation. Younger epithelium can convert to functional ameloblasts that secrete enamel protein. In addition to the change in gene expression, normal tooth morphology is attained. The loss of competence of the palatal epithelium at 18 days gestation coincided with the acquisition of stratum corneum and the attainment of the fully differentiated state. The oral surface of palatal epithelium appears to be determined histogenically and morphogenically at 18 days of gestation in mice.

Animals