title: The role of transforming growth factor alpha in rat craniofacial development and chondrogenesis.
abstract: To explore the possible role of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) in craniofacial development, its expression in the craniofacial region of rat embryos from embryonic day (d) 9 to d 20 was examined by in situ hybridisation and immunostaining. The TGF-alpha transcripts were first detected in the neural fold of embryonic d 9 and 10 embryos. In the craniofacial region, the TGF-alpha transcripts were not detected until embryonic d 16 in mesenchyme surrounding the olfactory bulb, within the olfactory bulb, the nasal capsule, vomeronasal organ, and vibrissal follicle. In addition, TGF-alpha message was detected in mesenchyme in the vicinity of Meckel's cartilage, and in the dental epithelium and lamina. This expression pattern of TGF-alpha transcripts persisted until embryonic d 17 but disappeared by d 18. The presence of TGF-alpha protein largely coincided with TGF-alpha message although, unlike the message, it persisted throughout later embryogenesis in the craniofacial region. The possible function of TGF-alpha in chondrogenesis was explored by employing the micromass culture technique. Cartilage nodule formation in mesenchymal cells cultured from rat mandibles in the presence of TGF-alpha was significantly inhibited. This inhibitory effect of TGF-alpha on chondrogenesis was reversed by addition of antibody against the EGF receptor, which crossreacts with the TGF-alpha receptor. The inhibitory effect of TGF-alpha on chondrogenesis in vitro was further confirmed by micromass culture using mesenchymal cells from rat embryonic limb bud. Taken together, these results demonstrate the involvement of TGF-alpha in chondrogenesis during embryonic development, possibly by way of a specific inhibition of cartilage formation from mesenchymal precursor cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Solursh
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sandra
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002356:Cartilage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology*; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012886:Skull / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology*; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha