Epithelial control of periotic mesenchyme chondrogenesis

Morphogenesis of the cartilaginous otic capsule is directed by interactions between the epithelial anlage of the membranous labyrinth (otocyst) and its associated periotic mesenchyme. Utilizing a developmental series of high-density (micromass) cultures of periotic mesenchyme to model capsule chondrogenesis, we have shown that the early influence of otic epithelium in cultures of 10.5- or 14-gestation day (gd) periotic mesenchyme results in initiation or suppression of chondrogenesis, respectively. Furthermore, we have shown that introduction of otic epithelium at two distinct times during in vitro development to cultures of 10.5-gd mesenchyme cells results first in an initiation and then in an inhibition of their chondrogenic response. These influences of epithelial tissue on chondrogenic differentiation by periotic mesenchyme are not tissue specific but are characterized by temporal selectivity. The ability of otic epithelium to influence chondrogenesis and the competence of the periotic mesenchyme to respond to its signals are dependent upon the developmental stage of both tissues. This study provides conclusive evidence that otic epithelium acts as a developmental "switch" during otic capsule morphogenesis, signaling first the turning on and then the turning off of chondrogenic programs in the responding cephalic mesenchyme.     

Rescue of an in vitro palate nonfusion model using interposed embryonic mesenchyme

The authors previously established an in vitro palate nonfusion model on the basis of a spatial separation between prefusion embryonic day 13.5 mouse palates (term gestation, 19.5 days). They found that an interpalatal separation distance of 0.48 mm or greater would consistently result in nonfusion after 4 days in organ culture. In the present study, they interposed embryonic palatal mesenchymal tissue between embryonic day 13.5 mouse palatal shelves with interpalatal separation distances greater than 0.48 mm in an attempt to "rescue" this in vitro palate nonfusion phenotype. Because no medial epithelial bilayer (i.e., medial epithelial seam) could potentially form, palatal fusion in vitro was defined as intershelf mesenchymal continuity with resolution of the medial edge epithelia bilaterally. Forty-two (n = 42) palatal shelf pairs from embryonic day 13.5 CD-1 mouse embryos were isolated and placed on cell culture inserts at precisely graded distances (0, 0.67, and 0.95 mm). Positive controls consisted of shelves placed in contact (n = 6). Negative controls consisted of shelves placed at interpalatal separation distances of 0.67 mm (n = 6) and 0.95 mm (n = 7) with no interposed mesenchyme. Experimental groups consisted of embryonic day 13.5 palatal shelves separated by 0.67 mm (n = 11) and 0.95 mm (n = 12) with interposed lateral palatal mesenchyme isolated at the time of palatal shelf harvest. Specimens were cultured for 4 days (n = 19) or 10 days (n = 23), harvested, and evaluated histologically. All positive controls at 4 and 10 days in culture showed complete histologic palatal fusion. All negative controls at 4 days and 10 days in culture remained unfused. Five of six palatal shelves separated at 0.67 mm interpalatal separation distance with interposed mesenchyme were fused at 4 days, and all five were fused at 10 days. At an interpalatal separation distance of 0.95 mm with interposed mesenchyme (n = 12), no palates (zero of four) were fused at 4 days, but seven of eight were fused at 10 days. These data suggest that nonfused palatal shelves can be "rescued" with an interposed graft of endogenous embryonic mesenchyme to induce fusion in vitro.     

Differential effects of physiological concentrations of retinoic acid in vitro on chondrogenesis and myogenesis in chick craniofacial mesenchyme

Recent studies have shown that in the developing limb bud retinoic acid is a skeletal morphogen at physiological levels, but a potent teratogen at higher levels. Retinoic acid has also been shown to be teratogenic during facial development, but very low levels may have an as yet unspecified role in normal development. In the present study the effects of retinoic acid on chondrogenesis and myogenesis by craniofacial cells grown in micromass cell culture were investigated. Retinoic acid, at concentrations of 0.01-100 ng/ml, was supplied to cells derived from day-4 (H.H stage 23/24) chick embryo mandibular, maxillary and frontonasal processes, grown in micromass cultures for 4 days in both serum-containing and defined media. Based on Alcian-blue-staining, concentrations of retinoic acid of 0.1-1 ng/ml were found to enhance chondrogenesis by mandibular cells grown in defined medium, while greater concentrations up to 100 ng/ml inhibited chondrogenesis. By contrast, chondrogenesis was generally retarded by all concentrations of retinoic acid applied to frontonasal cells grown in defined medium and when applied to both mandibular and frontonasal cells when grown in serum-containing medium. Cells from stage-23/24 maxillae did not display any significant chondrogenic activity in either medium under these culture conditions. Unlike chondrogenesis, myogenesis in mandibular, frontonasal and maxillary cultures was greater in defined than serum-containing medium, based on the appearance of immunologically detectable muscle myosin, and was reduced considerably less in defined medium by all concentrations of retinoic acid tested. In the presence of serum however, myogenesis was retarded with increasing concentrations of retinoic acid beyond 1 ng/ml in micromass cultures from all three facial regions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Tenascin is associated with chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation in vivo and promotes chondrogenesis in vitro

The tissue distribution of the extracellular matrix glycoprotein, tenascin, during cartilage and bone development in rodents has been investigated by immunohistochemistry. Tenascin was present in condensing mesenchyme of cartilage anlagen, but not in the surrounding mesenchyme. In fully differentiated cartilages, tenascin was only present in the perichondrium. In bones that form by endochondral ossification, tenascin reappeared around the osteogenic cells invading the cartilage model. Tenascin was also present in the condensing mesenchyme of developing bones that form by intramembranous ossification and later was present around the spicules of forming bone. Tenascin was absent from mature bone matrix but persisted on periosteal and endosteal surfaces. Immunofluorescent staining of wing bud cultures from chick embryos showed large amounts of tenascin in the forming cartilage nodules. Cultures grown on a substrate of tenascin produced more cartilage nodules than cultures grown on tissue culture plastic. Tenascin in the culture medium inhibited the attachment of wing bud cells to fibronectin-coated substrates. We propose that tenascin plays an important role in chondrogenesis by modulating fibronectin-cell interactions and causing cell rounding and condensation.     

Modulation of gap junction-mediated intercellular communication in embryonic chick mesenchyme during tissue remodeling in vitro

Gap junction-mediated intercellular communication was analyzed in a model system in which tissue necrosis and remodeling could be modulated. This in vitro system, previously used for analysis of epithelial-mesenchymal tissue interaction, was modified to permit analysis of the presence and extent of intercellular communition by monitoring intercellular transfer of the micro-injected fluorescent dye, Lucifer Yellow. Light and transmission electronmicroscopy were employed to correlate the presence and degree of gap junctional communication (coupling) with tissue morphology. Digital image analysis was used to determine cell density and mitotic indices within the outgrowths of explants. Our results indicated that cell communication in outgrowths adjacent to necrotic foci within an explant was minimal or absent. Cell-coupling in outgrowths adjacent to a compartment of viable mesenchyme was significantly higher-equivalent to unseparated control cultures. A time-course study demonstrated correlation of increased levels of cell-coupling in outgrowths with the level of tissue remodeling within an explant. Our conclusions from these studies are that embryonic mesenchymal cell populations may be selectively uncoupled as a result of alterations in the microenvironment produced by a proximate impaired cell population. It is proposed that endogenous factors in the microenvironment (wound signals), emanating from impaired cell populations, regulate gap junction-mediated intercellular communication in adjacent viable tissue. Normal, unimpaired populations of cells surrounding an area of injury are thereby isolated from the effects of a potentially toxic environment. This could serve as a protective function in development and may represent, in a more general sense, part of the repertoire of events associated with tissue repair and remodeling.     

Syndecan from embryonic tooth mesenchyme binds tenascin.

Syndecan is a cell surface heparan sulfate-rich proteoglycan found on various epithelial cells but also in some embryonic mesenchymal tissues. We have immunoisolated syndecan from embryonic tooth mesenchyme that appeared as a 250-300-kDa molecule (Kav = 0.3 in Sepharose 4B), containing only heparan sulfate side chains (Mr = 35,000). Northern analysis of whole tooth germs and tooth mesenchymes also revealed high expression of syndecan mRNAs (2.6 and 3.4 kilobases). In the binding assay utilizing nitrocellulose as a solid phase to immobilize matrix molecules, syndecan immunoisolated from tooth mesenchyme revealed binding to tenascin, and this interaction was shown to be mediated via heparan sulfate side chains. In contrast, syndecan from mouse mammary epithelial cells showed only weak interaction with tenascin. We propose that syndecan and tenascin may represent interactions of a cell surface receptor and a matrix ligand involved in mesenchymal cell condensation and differentiation during early organogenesis.     

Differential and stage dependent effects of retinoic acid on chondrogenesis and synthesis of extracellular matrix macromolecules in chick craniofacial mesenchyme in vitro

Retinoic acid (RA) is well known to be a potent teratogen and induces a variety of facial defects in vivo, but at concentration levels lower than those that cause facial defects, RA seems to play an important role in normal facial development. In a previous study, we demonstrated the ability of RA to stimulate chondrogenesis in vitro in HH stage 23/24 chick mandibular (MND) but not frontonasal (FNP) mesenchyme cultured in a serum-free medium. The present study furthers these results by examining the effects of RA on chondrogenesis of chick facial mesenchyme at earlier embryonic stages and the effects on cell proliferation and synthesis of specific extracellular matrix macromolecules at stage 23/24. MND and FNP cells were cultured as micromasses for 4 days in defined media. As described previously, chondrogenesis in stage 23/24 MND cells was significantly enhanced by concentrations of RA of 0.1-1 ng/ml; however, at all earlier stages examined (18 to 22) RA at these concentrations had no significant effect. Higher concentrations of the retinoid inhibited chondrogenesis in MND cultures from all stages tested. Cells of the FNP from all stages displayed no significant change in chondrogenesis below 1 ng/ml RA and a dose dependent inhibition at higher concentrations. Thus RA's promotional effects in the face are not only tissue specific (MND), but also stage-dependent (HH 23/24). The specific effects of RA on matrix production and cell proliferation of stage 23/24 MND and FNP cells was examined by analysis of 35S sulfate, 3H thymidine and 3H proline incorporation. Analysis of 35S sulfate incorporation into sulfated proteoglycans confirmed that concentrations of RA of 0.1-1 ng/ml stimulated cartilage matrix production in MND but not FNP cultures. Above this level of RA, 35S sulfate incorporation was reduced in both. Likewise, 3H proline incorporation into collagenous protein, and to a lesser extent non-collagenous proteins, was stimulated by low levels of RA in MND, but not FNP cultures. Higher concentrations of the retinoid in either MND or FNP cultures did not lower collagen production, undoubtedly due to stimulation of non-chondrogenic cells within the population. This indicates that levels of RA as high as 100 ng/ml cause phenotypic change rather than cell death. This last point is corroborated by the analysis of 3H thymidine uptake in the cultures which was only transiently modified in most. The data indicate that cell proliferation occurred even in the presence of high RA levels.     

Retention during embryonic life of the ability of avian spinal cord to induce somitic chondrogenesis in vitro

It is well established that the spinal cord of embryonic vertebrates induces sclerotomal somitic mesoderm to chondrify. We have investigated whether the spinal cord retains this inductive ability for the duration of the life of the avian embryo. Somites were isolated from embryos of H.H. stages 16 to 18 and either cultured alone in a medium which would not allow spontaneous chondrogenesis or cultured in direct contact with the spinal cord from embryos ranging in age between H.H. stages 33 and 44 (7 1/2--18 days of incubation). Somites cultured alone did not chondrify. Somites cultured in contact with either the ventral surface of the spinal cord or with the ependyma of the spinal cord chondrified in virtually 100% of all cultures--irrespective of the age of the donor embryo providing the spinal cord. The somites which were cultured in contact with the dorsal surface of the spinal cord did not undergo chondrogenesis. We conclude that the ventral spinal cord and the ependyma retain inductive ability through embryonic life and discuss the possible reasons for this.     

Environmental enhancement of in vitro chondrogenesis

In most in vitro tissue interaction studies, it is assumed that the negative control of the culture system (i.e., the tissue which does not differentiate when isolated) is representative of an in vivo situation, and that the isolated tissue is quite unable to differentiate without the interacting tissue. It is becoming increasingly obvious that the failure of isolated tissues to differentiate in vitro may be due to the techniques of the experimenter, not necessarily to metabolic deficiencies of the tissue.     

TAK-778, a novel synthetic 3-benzothiepin derivative, promotes chondrogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

TAK-778, a novel synthetic 3-benzothiepin derivative, stimulates the formation of cartilaginous nodules in mouse chondroprogenitor-like ATDC5 cells in vitro in association with upregulation of the gene expression of transforming growth factor-beta(2), but not bone morphogenetic protein-4 and insulin-like growth factor-I. One-shot injection of the TAK-778-containing sustained-release microcapsules accelerated the repair process of the full thickness defects of articular cartilage in rabbit knees. Our in vitro and in vivo results indicate that TAK-778 may be a therapeutically useful synthetic agent for articular cartilage repair.     

Proliferation of cells undergoing chondrogenesis in vitro

Continuous exposure of chicken embryo limb bud mesenchyme cells undergoing chondrogenesis in vitro to [3H] thymidine thymidine [(3H]TdR) revealed that more than 90% of the cells synthesized DNA at least once during 120 h of culture. When cells were exposed to [3H]TdR for 24 h beginning at various times throughout the culture period, the percentage of cells which incorporated [3H]TdR during each period was approximately 92%. However, when the period for incorporation of radioisotope was limited to two hours, the number of cells which incorporated [3H]TdR was found to decline during chondrogenesis in vitro. This decline was coincident with the appearance of extracellular matrix material and occurred in those cells which had, and had not, expressed the cartilage phenotype. We conclude from these studies that (1) practically all of the cells continue to proliferate while chondrogenesis is occurring in vitro, (2) there is an increase in the length of the cell cycle during chondrogenesis in vitro, and (3) withdrawal from the cell cycle is not required for differentiation of mesenchyme into cartilage.     

Hyaluronic acid bonded to cell-culture surfaces stimulates chondrogenesis in stage 24 limb mesenchyme cell cultures

The influence on the differentiation of stage 24 chick limb mesenchymal cells of hyaluronic acid (HA) covalently bonded onto plastic substrates has been examined. Under control conditions, stage 24 cells express phenotypes related to the initial plating density: When plated at high density (5 X 10(6) cells/35-mm culture dish), these cells express a chondrogenic phenotype collectively visualized as a mound or nodule of cartilage. Cartilage nodules are not found in cultures plated at intermediate or low densities, 2 X 10(6) and 1 X 10(6) cells/35-mm dish, respectively. However, when cells are plated onto HA surfaces, expression of the cartilage phenotype occurs at all three plating densities in roughly comparable frequencies. This increase in cartilage nodule formation does not appear to be due to an increased plating efficiency or increased replication rate. The observed effect is dependent on HA concentration; with an increase in bound HA, an increase in the number of cartilage nodules is observed. Digestion of HA substrates with hyaluronidase abolishes the stimulation in chondrogenesis, while no effect is observed if the HA substrates are treated with either trypsin or alkaline borohydride. No other glycosaminoglycan, except for the HA analog, unsulfated chondroitin, exhibits this unique stimulation of chondrogenic expression. While the rate of radiolabeled sulfate incorporation is dramatically increased with cells plated onto HA substrates, the protein biosynthetic rate, as evidenced by radiolabeled proline incorporation, remains unaffected. This dramatic increase in chondrogenic expression is considered in contrast to the previously reported inhibitory effect of HA substrates on myogenesis. These observations suggest that HA may have a regulatory role in the chondrogenic differentiation of chick limb mesenchymal cells.     

In vitro chondrogenesis and cell viability

Anterior somites cultured with (NSA) or without (SA) notochord, and posterior somites cultured with (NSP) or without notochord (SP) were compared with respect to changes in their DNA content, their potential to synthesize the active sulfate principle phosphoadenosine phosphosulfate (PAPS), and their ability to accumulate ³⁵S-sulfate.Chondrogenesis was observed in the NSA, NSP, and SP explants, but was rarely noted in the SA explants. A decrease in DNA content during the initial 48 hr of culture was common to all explants. After this initial decrease, DNA content increased most in those explants forming cartilage. The synthesis of PAPS by cell-free extracts of each type of somite explant also decreased during the initial period of culture. Only extracts of those explants undergoing chondrogenesis showed increases in PAPS synthesis with continued culture. Each type of somite explant accumulated ³⁵S-sulfate into chondroitin sulfate during the first hours of culture. The non-chondrogenic SA explants accumulated little ³⁵S-sulfate during the period of culture. At varying times after 24 hr the chondrifying explants (NSA, SP, and NSP) initiated an increased rate of accumulation of ³⁵S-sulfate.Cartilage nodules, increases in DNA content, PAPS synthesis and ³⁵S-sulfate accumulation occurred within the same 24 hr period, during the 2nd day in NSP explants, the 3rd day in NSA explants, and between the 3rd and 4th day for SP explants. A hypothesis of in vitro somite chondrogenesis based on differential cell viability is presented.     

MEK-ERK signaling plays diverse roles in the regulation of facial chondrogenesis

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, also known as the MEK-ERK cascade, has been shown to regulate cartilage differentiation in embryonic limb mesoderm and several chondrogenic cell lines. In the present study, we employed the micromass culture system to define the roles of MEK-ERK signaling in the chondrogenic differentiation of neural crest-derived ectomesenchyme cells of the embryonic chick facial primordia. In cultures of frontonasal mesenchyme isolated from stage 24/25 embryos, treatment with the MEK inhibitor U0126 increased type II collagen and glycosaminoglycan deposition into cartilage matrix, elevated mRNA levels for three chondrogenic marker genes (col2a1, aggrecan, and sox9), and increased expression of a Sox9-responsive collagen II enhancer-luciferase reporter gene. Transfection of frontonasal mesenchyme cells with dominant negative ERK increased collagen II enhancer activation, whereas transfection of constitutively active MEK decreased its activity. Thus, MEK-ERK signaling inhibits chondrogenesis in stage 24/25 frontonasal mesenchyme. Conversely, MEK-ERK signaling enhanced chondrogenic differentiation in mesenchyme of the stage 24/25 mandibular arch. In mandibular mesenchyme cultures, pharmacological MEK inhibition decreased cartilage matrix deposition, cartilage-specific RNA levels, and collagen II enhancer activity. Expression of constitutively active MEK increased collagen II enhancer activation in mandibular mesenchyme, while dominant negative ERK had the opposite effect. Interestingly, MEK-ERK modulation had no significant effects on cultures of maxillary or hyoid process mesenchyme cells. Moreover, we observed a striking shift in the response of frontonasal mesenchyme to MEK-ERK modulation by stage 28/29 of development.     

Exogenous glycosaminoglycans modulate chondrogenesis, cyclic AMP level and cell growth in limb bud mesenchyme cultures

Effects of hyaluronate, heparin and chondroitin-6-sulfate were studied on micromass cultures of chick limb bud mesenchyme (Hamburger and Hamilton stages 23-24). Histochemical, electron microscopical, biochemical and radiochemical investigations of day 4 cultures revealed dose-dependent inhibitory effects of these glycosaminoglycans on chondrogenesis, cyclic AMP level and growth of cells. In addition, hyaluronate with 100 micrograms/ml dose caused a displacement of newly formed proteoglycan from cultures into the medium. It is supposed that exogenous glycosaminoglycans influence ionic equilibrium in the immediate vicinity of cells and disturb the organization of the prechondrogenic extracellular matrix resulting in alterations of cell membrane--cytoskeleton associations. These alterations may provoke a reduction in cyclic AMP level and DNA synthesis. It is suggested that a reduction in cyclic AMP level preceding the expression of cartilage phenotype results in the inhibition of chondrogenesis.