The calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion system regulates inner cell mass formation and cell surface polarization in early mouse development.
The monoclonal antibody ECCD-1 inhibits Ca2+-dependent cell-cell adhesion in teratocarcinoma cells, recognizing a cell surface component of MW 124,000. When mouse embryos at various preimplantation stages were cultured in the presence of ECCD-1, the compacted morphology of the 8- to 16-cell-stage embryos was destroyed. In these embryos, cell proliferation normally occurred and development of blastocyst-like vesicles was attained. However, these embryos did not contain inner cell mass (ICM). We found that ECCD-1 affects the pattern of polarization of the cell surface in late 8- and 16-cell-stage blastomeres, as detected by staining with fluorescence-labeled concanavalin A. In normal blastomeres, the pole was always apart from the cell-cell contact plane. In those cultured in ECCD-1, formation of the pole tended to be inhibited, and if observed, the pole was close to the cell-cell contact plane. We discuss the possible mechanisms for inhibition of ICM formation caused by blocking Ca2+-dependent cell-cell adhesion between blastomeres.
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001757:Blastomeres / Q000166:cytology; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002450:Cell Communication; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum / Q000166:cytology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008970:Molecular Weight
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D002118:Calcium