Abstract
Homeobox-containing genes are thought to be regulators of pattern formation during vertebrate development. We have previously characterized regions in the developing chick mandible expressing either Msx-1 or Max-2 in terms of their chondrogenic potential, rates of cell proliferation, and their correlation with regions of cell death. These experiments suggest that Msx-1 may be involved in outgrowth of the mandibular arch, and Msx-2 may be involved in delineating the non-chondrogenic region of the medial part of the mandibular arch. To further examine the possibility that expression of Msx-2 may be involved in preventing chondrogenesis in the medial region, mandibular arch explants from stage 23 chick embryos were cultured for 4 days in media in the absence of serum but in the presence of 20-30 μM Msx-2 sense or antisense oligonucleotides (18 mers). In explants grown in either control media or with the sense oligonucleotide two rods of cartilage separated by a cartilage free area located in the medial region of the mandible were formed. In explants treated with Msx-2 antisense oligonucleotide cartilage formation was observed in the medial region of the mandible resulting in the fusion of the two bilateral rods at the midline. These results suggest a negative relationship between Msx-2 expression and chondrogenesis in the medial region of the developing mandible.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 133-138 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Connective Tissue Research |
Volume | 35 |
Issue number | 1-4 |
State | Published - 1996 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Antisense oligonucleotides
- Cartilage
- Chick
- Morphogenesis
- Msx-2
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
- Nephrology
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine