Abstract
In classic models of craniofacial development, the cranial mesoderm was thought to play only a passive role, receiving signals from the migrating neural crest cells (NCC). Recent studies suggest that the cranial mesoderm can influence NCC identity and migration, suggesting a more active role for the mesoderm in craniofacial development. The goal of our study was 1) To identify genes specific to the cranial mesoderm that may influence NCC development, 2) To characterize their spatial and temporal expression, and 3) To evaluate the effect of identified genes on NCC development. Using an Affymetrix microarray, we have identified 184 genes expressed at a >3 fold difference in the cranial mesoderm when compared to a pooled endoderm/ectoderm sample. A large number of endothelial genes and genes involved in vascular development were identified by the screen, including Vegf-C, Flk-1 and Flt-1, Fli-1, Sox18, VE-cadherin, Esam1, Claudin 5 and Igfbp4, which suggests that development of the endothelium may play an important role in early craniofacial formation. In situ hybridization analysis demonstrates that the endothelial genes show diffuse punctate expression throughout the cranial mesoderm, and focus on endothelial gene Igfbp4 demonstrates that Igfbp4 is dynamically expressed in the developing branchial arches. Functional analysis of Igfbp4 using bead implantation experiments demonstrates that Igfbp4 is upregulated by FGF8 but is not influenced by SHH expression. Further work is underway to evaluate the effect of Igfbp4 and other endothelial genes on NCC development using gene overexpression in Pax3-GFP transgenic mice.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Melton, K., Zueckert-Gaudenz, K., Griffith, J. et al. Characterizing The Early Cranial Mesoderm: Development of The Endothelium.. Pediatr Res 56, 668 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200410000-00030
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200410000-00030