title: Transcriptional analysis of human cranial compartments with different embryonic origins.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous investigations suggest that the embryonic origins of the calvarial tissues (neural crest or mesoderm) may account for the molecular mechanisms underlying sutural development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in the gene expression of human cranial tissues and assess the presence of an expression signature reflecting their embryonic origins.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using microarray technology, we investigated global gene expression of cells from the frontal and parietal bones and the metopic and sagittal intrasutural mesenchyme (ISM) of four human foetal calvaria. qRT-PCR of a selected group of genes was done to validate the microarray analysis. Paired comparison and correlation analyses were performed on microarray results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of six paired comparisons, frontal and parietal compartments (distinct tissue types of calvaria, either bone or intrasutural mesenchyme) had the most different gene expression profiles despite being composed of the same tissue type (bone). Correlation analysis revealed two distinct gene expression profiles that separate frontal and metopic compartments from parietal and sagittal compartments. TFAP2A, TFAP2B, ICAM1, SULF1, TNC and FOXF2 were among differentially expressed genes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transcriptional profiles of two groups of tissues, frontal and metopic compartments vs. parietal and sagittal compartments, suggest differences in proliferation, differentiation and extracellular matrix production. Our data suggest that in the second trimester of human foetal development, a gene expression signature of neural crest origin still exists in frontal and metopic compartments while gene expression of parietal and sagittal compartments is more similar to mesoderm.
authors.affiliation: Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1900 - 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, United States; Department of Oral Health Sciences, Dental School, University of Washington, United States; Department of Endodontics, Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, United States. Electronic address: nehoma@u.washington.edu.
authors.forename: Negar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Homayounfar
authors.affiliation: Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1900 - 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, United States.
authors.forename: Sarah S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, # 100, Seattle, WA 98105-6099, United States.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Afsharinejad
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, # 100, Seattle, WA 98105-6099, United States.
authors.forename: Theodor K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Bammler
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, # 100, Seattle, WA 98105-6099, United States.
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, # 100, Seattle, WA 98105-6099, United States.
authors.forename: Federico M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Farin
authors.affiliation: Trialomics, 1700 7th Avenue, # 116, Seattle, WA 98101, United States.
authors.forename: Brigham H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Mecham
authors.affiliation: Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1900 - 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101, United States; Seattle Children's Craniofacial Center, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105, United States.
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cunningham
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000196:embryology*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D046228:Microarray Analysis; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012886:Skull / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D012313:RNA
keywords: Cranial suture; Differentiation; Extracellular matrix; Mesoderm; Neural crest; Proliferation