Exposure to tert-Butylphenyl Diphenyl Phosphate, an Organophosphate Ester Flame Retardant and Plasticizer, Alters Hedgehog Signaling in Murine Limb Bud Cultures.

Organophosphate esters have become widely used as flame retardants since the phase out of polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Previously, we demonstrated that some organophosphate esters, such as tert-butylphenyl diphenyl phosphate (BPDP), were more detrimental to endochondral ossification in murine limb bud cultures than one of the major polybrominated diphenyl ethers that they replaced, 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether. Here, we used a transcriptomic approach to elucidate the mechanism of action of BPDP in the developing limb. Limb buds collected from gestation day 13 CD1 mouse embryos were cultured for 3 or 24 h in the presence of vehicle, 1 µM, or 10 µM BPDP. RNA sequencing analyses revealed that exposure to 1 µM BPDP for 24 h increased the expression of 5 transcripts, including Ihh, and decreased 14 others, including Gli1, Ptch1, Ptch2, and other targets of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Pathway analysis predicted the inhibition of Hh signaling. Attenuation of Hh signaling activity began earlier and reached a greater magnitude after exposure to 10 µM BPDP. Because this pathway is part of the regulatory network governing endochondral ossification, we used a known Hh agonist, purmorphamine, to determine the contribution of Hh signaling inhibition to the negative impact of BPDP on endochondral ossification. Cotreatment of limbs with purmorphamine rescued the detrimental morphological changes in the cartilage template induced by BPDP exposure though it did not restore the expression of key transcription factors, Runx2 and Sp7, to control levels. These data highlight Hh signaling as a developmentally important pathway vulnerable to environmental chemical exposures.

The Murine Limb Bud in Culture as an In Vitro Teratogenicity Test System.

There is widespread interest today in the use of in vitro methods to study normal and abnormal development. The limb is attractive in this context since much is known about pattern formation during limb development. The murine limb bud culture technique described in this chapter was developed and refined in the 1970s. In this culture system, limb development mimics the in vivo process, although at a slower rate, where growth and cartilage differentiation lead to the formation of proximal and distal structures with an "in vivo-like" 3D shape. Uniform developmental stages are selected for assessment, exposures are controlled precisely, and the confounding influences of maternal metabolism and transport are avoided. The existence of transgenic mice with fluorescent markers for the different stages of endochondral ossification adds a further dimension to the technique by allowing striking time course observations of the developing limb. Today, limb bud cultures are used to study the roles of genes during embryogenesis and the mechanisms by which chemicals interfere with critical signalling pathways.

A Free Radical Scavenger Ameliorates Teratogenic Activity of a DNA Hypomethylating Hematological Therapeutic.

The spin-trap free radical scavenger N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitron (PBN) ameliorated effects of several teratogens involving reactive oxygen species (ROS). We investigated for the first time whether PBN could ameliorate teratogenesis induced by a DNA hypomethylating hematological therapeutic 5-azacytidine (5azaC). At days 12 and 13 of gestation, Fisher rat dams were pretreated by an i.v. injection of PBN (40 mg/kg) and 1 h later by an i.p. injection of 5azaC (5mg/kg). Development was analyzed at gestation day 15 in embryos and day 20 in fetuses. PBN alone did not significantly affect development. PBN pretreatment restored survival of 5azaC-treated dams' embryos to the control level, restored weight of embryos and partially of fetuses, and partially restored crown-rump lengths. PBN pretreatment converted limb adactyly to less severe oligodactyly. PBN pretreatment restored global DNA methylation level in the limb buds to the control level. Cell proliferation in limb buds of all 5azaC-treated dams remained significantly lower than in controls. In the embryonic liver, PBN pretreatment normalized proliferation diminished significantly by 5azaC; whereas in embryonic vertebral cartilage, proliferation of all 5azaC-treated dams was significantly higher than in PBN-treated dams or controls. Apoptotic indices significantly enhanced by 5azaC in liver and cartilage were not influenced by PBN pretreatment. However, PBN significantly diminished ROS or reactive nitrogen species markers nitrotyrosine and 8-hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine elevated by 5azaC in embryonic tissues, and, therefore, activity of this DNA hypomethylating agent was associated to the activation of free radicals. That pretreatment with PBN enhanced proliferation in the liver and not in immature tissue is interesting for the treatment of 5azaC-induced hepatotoxicity and liver regeneration.

Effects of Organophosphate Ester Flame Retardants on Endochondral Ossification in Ex Vivo Murine Limb Bud Cultures.

Phasing out the usage of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants (FRs) in consumer products led to their widespread replacement with organophosphate ester (OPE) FRs, despite scarce safety data. PBDE exposures were associated with the suppression of endochondral ossification but little is known about the effects of OPEs on bones. Here, we used a novel ex vivo murine limb bud culture system to compare the effects of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) with those of several OPEs. Gestation day 13 embryos were collected from transgenic CD1 mice expressing fluorescent markers for the major stages of endochondral ossification: COL2A1-ECFP (chondrogenesis), COL10A1-mCherry (early osteogenesis), and COL1A1-YFP (late osteogenesis). Limbs were excised and cultured for 6 days in the presence of vehicle, BDE-47, or an OPE FR: triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), tert-butylphenyl diphenyl phosphate (BPDP), tris(methylphenyl) phosphate (TMPP), or isopropylated triphenyl phosphate (IPPP). BDE-47 (50 µM) decreased the extent of chondrogenesis in the digits and COL1A1-YFP expression in the radius and ulna relative to control. In comparison, concentrations of ≥1 µM of all 4 OPEs limited chondrogenesis; osteogenesis (both COL10A1-mCherry and COL1A1-YFP fluorescence) was markedly inhibited at concentrations ≥3 µM. The expression of Sox9, the master regulator of chondrogenesis, was altered by BDE-47, TPHP, and BPDP. BDE-47 exposure had minimal impact on the expression of Runx2 and Sp7, which drive osteogenesis, whereas TPHP and BPDP both suppressed the expression of these transcription factors. These data suggest that OPE FRs may be more detrimental to bone formation than their brominated predecessors.

Statins do not inhibit the FGFR signaling in chondrocytes.

OBJECTIVE: Statins are widely used drugs for cholesterol lowering, which were recently found to counteract the effects of aberrant fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR3) signaling in cell and animal models of FGFR3-related chondrodysplasia. This opened an intriguing therapeutic possibility for human dwarfing conditions caused by gain-of-function mutations in FGFR3, although the mechanism of statin action on FGFR3 remains unclear. Here, we determine the effect of statins on FGFR signaling in chondrocytes. DESIGN: Cultured chondrocyte cell lines, mouse embryonic tibia cultures and limb bud micromasses were treated with FGF2 to activate FGFR signaling. The effects of atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin and pravastatin on FGFR3 protein stability and on FGFR-mediated chondrocyte growth-arrest, loss of extracellular matrix (ECM), induction of premature senescence and hypertrophic differentiation were evaluated. RESULTS: Statins did not alter the level of FGFR3 protein expression nor produce any effect on FGFR-mediated inhibition of chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophic differentiation in cultured chondrocyte cell lines, mouse tibia cultures or limb bud micromasses. CONCLUSION: We conclude that statins do not inhibit the FGFR signaling in chondrocytes. Therefore the statin-mediated rescue of FGFR3-related chondrodysplasia, described before, is likely not intrinsic to the growth plate cartilage.

Chlormequat chloride retards rat embryo growth in vitro.

Chlormequat chloride is the most widely used plant growth regulator in agriculture to promote sturdier growth of grain crops by avoidance of lodging. Therefore, human exposure to chlormequat chloride is very common, but its developmental toxicity has not been studied. Thus, we investigated the developmental toxicity of chlormequat chloride by applying rat whole embryo culture (WEC) model, limb bud micromass culture and 3T3 fibroblast cytotoxicity test. Chlormequat chloride at 150µg/ml (0.93mM) retarded the rat embryo growth without causing significant morphological malformations and at 500µg/ml (3.1mM) caused both retardation and morphological malformation of the embryos. However, the proliferation and differentiation of limb bud cells were not affected by chlormequat chloride at as high as up to 1000µg/ml (6.2mM) applied. This concentration of chlormequat chloride did not affect the cell viability as examined by 3T3 fibroblast cytotoxicity test either, suggesting that cellular toxicity may not play a role in chlormequat induced inhibition of rat embryo growth. Collectively, our results demonstrated that chlormequat chloride may affect embryo growth and development without inhibiting cell viability.

Hedgehog inhibition causes complete loss of limb outgrowth and transformation of digit identity in Xenopus tropicalis.

The study of the tetrapod limb has contributed greatly to our understanding of developmental pathways and how changes to these pathways affect the evolution of morphology. Most of our understanding of tetrapod limb development comes from research on amniotes, with far less known about mechanisms of limb development in amphibians. To better understand the mechanisms of limb development in anuran amphibians, we used cyclopamine to inhibit Hedgehog signaling at various stages of development in the western clawed frog, Xenopus tropicalis, and observed resulting morphologies. We also analyzed gene expression changes resulting from similar experiments in Xenopus laevis. Inhibition of Hedgehog signaling in X. tropicalis results in limb abnormalities including reduced digit number, missing skeletal elements, and complete absence of limbs. In addition, posterior digits assume an anterior identity by developing claws that are usually only found on anterior digits, confirming Sonic hedgehog's role in digit identity determination. Thus, Sonic hedgehog appears to play mechanistically separable roles in digit number specification and digit identity specification as in other studied tetrapods. The complete limb loss observed in response to reduced Hedgehog signaling in X. tropicalis, however, is striking, as this functional role for Hedgehog signaling has not been found in any other tetrapod. This changed mechanism may represent a substantial developmental constraint to digit number evolution in frogs. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 9999B:XX-XX, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Reduction in cadmium-induced toxicity by c-Jun modulation in mouse embryo limb bud cells.

BACKGROUND: While it is known that cadmium-exposed embryonic cells have increased activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), the role of this stress signaling pathway in the embryotoxic response is not clear. Thus, the effects of modification of the transcription factor c-Jun, one of the downstream targets of JNK, on cadmium-induced embryotoxicity were investigated in primary cultures of mouse embryo limb bud cells. METHODS: Cultures of limb bud cells harvested on day 11 of gestation were pretreated with antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) to c-Jun to reduce its expression, and then incubated with cadmium in the form of cadmium chloride. Toxicity was measured through assessments of cell proliferation and differentiation, while the effectiveness of the ASO in reducing c-Jun was assessed through Western blotting using phosphorylation-specific antibodies. RESULTS: When cells were treated with ASO c-Jun, the total amounts of c-Jun and also cadmium-induced c-Jun activation were diminished. Cadmium-induced cytotoxicity, indicated by reduced cell numbers and differentiation, was found to decrease when cells were exposed to the antisense oligonucleotides to c-Jun. In addition, limb cell numbers and differentiation were also enhanced by exposure to ASO in the absence of cadmium. CONCLUSION: The JNK pathway, and particularly the downstream effector c-Jun, appears to play an important role in regulating cell survival and differentiation in mouse embryo limb bud cells both in the presence and absence of the toxic metal cadmium.

[Effects of basic orange II on proliferation and differentiation of limb bud cells in rat embryos].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of basic orange II on proliferation and differentiation of limb bud cells. METHODS: Limb bud cell were separated from SD rat embryo at 13-day gestational age, limb bud cell were exposed to basic orange II at concentrations of 0.0, 12.5, 25.0, 50.0, 100.0, 200, 0 and 400.0 mg/L in the culture medium. The effect of basic orange II on limb bud cell proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8, the effect of basic orange II on limb bud cell differentiation was assessed by Alcian Blue 8GX. RESULTS: With the increasing of basic orange II concentration, the proliferation and differentiation of embryo limb bud cells were poorer and poorer in vitro, and there was the dose-effect relationship. The pID50 and dLD50 of basic orange II on limb bud cells were 240.6 mg/L and 69.3 mg/L respectively. The inhibition of basic orange II on cell differentiation might exceed that on cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: Basic orange II could inhibit proliferation and differentiation of embryo limb bud cells. It might be a potential developmental toxic substance in rat embryo.

Regulation of Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) Limb Blastema Cell Proliferation by Nerves and BMP2 in Organotypic Slice Culture.

We have modified and optimized the technique of organotypic slice culture in order to study the mechanisms regulating growth and pattern formation in regenerating axolotl limb blastemas. Blastema cells maintain many of the behaviors that are characteristic of blastemas in vivo when cultured as slices in vitro, including rates of proliferation that are comparable to what has been reported in vivo. Because the blastema slices can be cultured in basal medium without fetal bovine serum, it was possible to test the response of blastema cells to signaling molecules present in serum, as well as those produced by nerves. We also were able to investigate the response of blastema cells to experimentally regulated changes in BMP signaling. Blastema cells responded to all of these signals by increasing the rate of proliferation and the level of expression of the blastema marker gene, Prrx-1. The organotypic slice culture model provides the opportunity to identify and characterize the spatial and temporal co-regulation of pathways in order to induce and enhance a regenerative response.

All-trans-retinoic acid inhibits chondrogenesis of rat embryo hindlimb bud mesenchymal cells by downregulating p53 expression.

Despite the well-established role of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) in congenital clubfoot (CCF)-like deformities in in vivo models, the essential cellular and molecular targets and the signaling mechanisms for ATRA-induced CCF-like deformities remain to be elucidated. Recent studies have demonstrated that p53 and p21, expressed in the hindlimb bud mesenchyme, regulate cellular proliferation and differentiation, contributing to a significant proportion of embryonic CCF-like abnormalities. The objective of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms for ATRA-induced CCF, by assessing ATRA-regulated chondrogenesis in rat embryo hindlimb bud mesenchymal cells (rEHBMCs) in vitro. The experimental study was based on varying concentrations of ATRA exposure on embryonic day 12.5 rEHBMCs in vitro. The present study demonstrated that ATRA inhibited the proliferation of cells by stimulating apoptotic cell death of rEHBMCs. It was also observed that ATRA induced a dose-dependent reduction of cartilage nodules compared with the control group. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting assays revealed that the mRNA and protein expression of cartilage-specific molecules, including aggrecan, Sox9 and collagen, type II, α 1 (Col2a1), were downregulated by ATRA in a dose-dependent manner; the mRNA levels of p53 and p21 were dose-dependently upregulated from 16 to 20 h of incubation with ATRA, but dose-dependently downregulated from 24 to 48 h. Of note, p53 and p21 were regulated at the translational level in parallel with the transcription with rEHBMCs treated with ATRA. Furthermore, the immunofluorescent microscopy assays indicated that proteins of p53 and p21 were predominantly expressed in the cartilage nodules. The present study demonstrated that ATRA decreases the chondrogenesis of rEHBMCs by inhibiting cartilage-specific molecules, including aggrecan, Sox9 and Col2al, via regulating the expression of p53 and p21.

Fibroblast growth factor and canonical WNT/ß-catenin signaling cooperate in suppression of chondrocyte differentiation in experimental models of FGFR signaling in cartilage.

Aberrant fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling disturbs chondrocyte differentiation in skeletal dysplasia, but the mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. Recently, FGF was found to activate canonical WNT/ß-catenin pathway in chondrocytes via Erk MAP kinase-mediated phosphorylation of WNT co-receptor Lrp6. Here, we explore the cellular consequences of such a signaling interaction. WNT enhanced the FGF-mediated suppression of chondrocyte differentiation in mouse limb bud micromass and limb organ cultures, leading to inhibition of cartilage nodule formation in micromass cultures, and suppression of growth in cultured limbs. Simultaneous activation of the FGF and WNT/ß-catenin pathways resulted in loss of chondrocyte extracellular matrix, expression of genes typical for mineralized tissues and alteration of cellular shape. WNT enhanced the FGF-mediated downregulation of chondrocyte proteoglycan and collagen extracellular matrix via inhibition of matrix synthesis and induction of proteinases involved in matrix degradation. Expression of genes regulating RhoA GTPase pathway was induced by FGF in cooperation with WNT, and inhibition of the RhoA signaling rescued the FGF/WNT-mediated changes in chondrocyte cellular shape. Our results suggest that aberrant FGF signaling cooperates with WNT/ß-catenin in suppression of chondrocyte differentiation.

Nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma enhances mouse limb bud survival, growth, and elongation.

The enhanced differentiation of mesenchymal cells into chondrocytes or osteoblasts is of paramount importance in tissue engineering and regenerative therapies. A newly emerging body of evidence demonstrates that appendage regeneration is dependent on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and signaling. Thus, we hypothesized that mesenchymal cell stimulation by nonthermal (NT)-plasma, which produces and induces ROS, would (1) promote skeletal cell differentiation and (2) limb autopod development. Stimulation with a single treatment of NT-plasma enhanced survival, growth, and elongation of mouse limb autopods in an in vitro organ culture system. Noticeable changes included enhanced development of digit length and definition of digit separation. These changes were coordinated with enhanced Wnt signaling in the distal apical epidermal ridge (AER) and presumptive joint regions. Autopod development continued to advance for approximately 144 h in culture, seemingly overcoming the negative culture environment usually observed in this in vitro system. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed the up-regulation of chondrogenic transcripts. Mechanistically, NT-plasma increased the number of ROS positive cells in the dorsal epithelium, mesenchyme, and the distal tip of each phalange behind the AER, determined using dihydrorhodamine. The importance of ROS production/signaling during development was further demonstrated by the stunting of digital outgrowth when anti-oxidants were applied. Results of this study show NT-plasma initiated and amplified ROS intracellular signaling to enhance development of the autopod. Parallels between development and regeneration suggest that the potential use of NT-plasma could extend to both tissue engineering and clinical applications to enhance fracture healing, trauma repair, and bone fusion.

Assessment of the developmental toxicity of nanoparticles in an ex vivo 3D model, the murine limb bud culture system.

The rapid growth of nanotechnological products for biomedical applications has exacerbated the need for suitable biological tests to evaluate the potential toxic effects of nanomaterials. The possible consequences of exposure during embryo and fetal development are of particular concern. The limb bud culture is an ex vivo 3D model in which growth, cell differentiation, and tissue organization occur and both molecular and functional endpoints can be quantitatively assessed. We employed this model to assess biochemical and morphological changes induced during organogenesis by two classes of nanostructured materials: quantum dot nanocrystals and organic polyglycerol sulfate dendrimers (dPGS). We show that quantum dots carrying mercaptopropionic acid (QD-MPA) on the surface, commonly used in biological studies, inhibit the development of limb buds from CD1 wildtype and Col2a1; Col10a1; Col1a1 triple transgenic fluorescent reporter mice, as revealed by changes in several morphological and biochemical markers. QD-MPA interfere with chondrogenesis and osteogenesis and disrupt the expression of COL10A1 and COL1A1, key markers of differentiation. In contrast, equivalent (3-100 nM) concentrations of dPGS do not adversely affect limb development. Neither QD-MPA nor dPGS-Cy5 alters the expression of several markers of cell proliferation or apoptosis. Collectively, these results suggest that murine limb buds in culture constitute a convenient, inexpensive and reliable developmental model for the assessment of the nanotoxicological effects of nanocrystals and polymers. In these 3D cultures, any effect that is observed can be directly ascribed to the nanostructures per se or a degradation component released from the complex nanostructure.

MicroRNA-34a is dispensable for p53 function as teratogenesis inducer.

The tumor suppressor protein p53 is a powerful regulator of the embryo's susceptibility to diverse teratogenic stimuli, functioning both as a teratogenesis inducer and suppressor. However, the targets that p53 engages to fulfill its functions remain largely undefined. We asked whether the microRNA (miRNA) miR-34 family, identified as one of the main targets of p53, mediates its function as a teratogenesis inducer. For this, pregnant ICR-, p53- and miR-34a-deficient mice, as well as rats, were exposed to 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza), a teratogen inducing limb reduction anomalies (LRA) of the hindlimbs in mice and either the hindlimbs or forelimbs in rats. Using hind- and forelimb buds of 5-aza-exposed embryos, we identified that the miR-34 family members are the most upregulated miRNAs in mouse and rat limb buds, with their increase level being significantly higher in limb buds destined for LRA. We showed that p53 mediates the 5-aza-induced miR-34 transcription followed by met proto-oncogene and growth-arrest-specific 1 target suppression in embryonic limb buds. We demonstrated that p53 regulates the teratogenic response to 5-aza acting as a teratogenesis inducer albeit miR-34a deletion does not affect the susceptibility of mice to 5-aza. Overall, our study thoroughly characterizes the expression and regulation of miR-34 family in teratogen-resistant and teratogen-sensitive embryonic structures and discusses the involvement of epigenetic miRNA-mediated pathway(s) in induced teratogenesis.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) signalling exerts chondrogenesis promoting and protecting effects: implication of calcineurin as a downstream target.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is an important neurotrophic factor influencing differentiation of neuronal elements and exerting protecting role during traumatic injuries or inflammatory processes of the central nervous system. Although increasing evidence is available on its presence and protecting function in various peripheral tissues, little is known about the role of PACAP in formation of skeletal components. To this end, we aimed to map elements of PACAP signalling in developing cartilage under physiological conditions and during oxidative stress. mRNAs of PACAP and its receptors (PAC1,VPAC1, VPAC2) were detectable during differentiation of chicken limb bud-derived chondrogenic cells in micromass cell cultures. Expression of PAC1 protein showed a peak on days of final commitment of chondrogenic cells. Administration of either the PAC1 receptor agonist PACAP 1-38, or PACAP 6-38 that is generally used as a PAC1 antagonist, augmented cartilage formation, stimulated cell proliferation and enhanced PAC1 and Sox9 protein expression. Both variants of PACAP elevated the protein expression and activity of the Ca-calmodulin dependent Ser/Thr protein phosphatase calcineurin. Application of PACAPs failed to rescue cartilage formation when the activity of calcineurin was pharmacologically inhibited with cyclosporine A. Moreover, exogenous PACAPs prevented diminishing of cartilage formation and decrease of calcineurin activity during oxidative stress. As an unexpected phenomenon, PACAP 6-38 elicited similar effects to those of PACAP 1-38, although to a different extent. On the basis of the above results, we propose calcineurin as a downstream target of PACAP signalling in differentiating chondrocytes either in normal or pathophysiological conditions. Our observations imply the therapeutical perspective that PACAP can be applied as a natural agent that may have protecting effect during joint inflammation and/or may promote cartilage regeneration during degenerative diseases of articular cartilage.

Limb regeneration in salamanders and digital tip regeneration in experimental mice: implications for the hand surgeon.

UNLABELLED: Several lessons and observations from limb regeneration in animals could open new insights to direct related research in the field of hand surgery. This article briefly reviews the biology of limb regeneration in salamanders and experimental mice, with special emphasis on implications for hand surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

Application of synthetic photostable retinoids induces novel limb and facial phenotypes during chick embryogenesis in vivo.

We have recently developed a range of synthetic retinoid analogues which include the compounds EC23 and EC19. They are stable on exposure to light and are predicted to be resistant to the normal metabolic processes involved in the inactivation of retinoids in vivo. Based on the position of the terminal carboxylic acid groups in the compounds we suggest that EC23 is a structural analogue of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), and EC19 is an analogue of 13-cis retinoic acid. Their effects on the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells has been previously described in vitro and are consistent with this hypothesis. We present herein the first description of the effects of these molecules in vivo. Retinoids were applied to the anterior limb buds of chicken embryos in ovo via ion-exchange beads. We found that retinoid EC23 produces effects on the wing digits similar to ATRA, but does so at two orders of magnitude lower concentration. When larger quantities of EC23 are applied, a novel phenotype is obtained involving production of multiple digit 1s on the anterior limb. This corresponds to differential effects of ATRA and EC23 on sonic hedgehog (shh) expression in the developing limb bud. With EC23 application we also find digit 1 phenotypes similar to thumb duplications described in the clinical literature. EC23 and ATRA are shown to have effects on the entire proximal-distal axis of the limb, including hitherto undescribed effects on the scapula. This includes suppression of expression of the scapula marker Pax1. EC23 also produces effects similar to those of ATRA on the developing face, producing reductions of the upper beak at concentrations two orders of magnitude lower than ATRA. In contrast, EC19, which is structurally very similar to EC23, has novel, less severe effects on the face and rarely alters limb development. EC19 and ATRA are effective at similar concentrations. These results further demonstrate the ability of retinoids to influence embryonic development. Moreover, EC23 represents a useful new tool to investigate developmental processes and probe the mechanisms underlying congenital abnormalities in vertebrates including man.

Epigenetic drug 5-azacytidine impairs proliferation of rat limb buds in an organotypic model-system in vitro.

AIM: To establish an organotypic in vitro model of limb bud development to verify whether epigenetic drug and teratogen 5-azacytidine (5azaC) has an effect on limb buds independent of its effects on the placenta. METHODS: Fischer strain rat fore- and hindlimb buds were microsurgically isolated from 13 days old embryos and cultivated in vitro for two weeks at the air-liquid interface in Eagle's minimum essential medium (MEM) with 50% rat serum. 30 µmol of 5azaC was added to the fresh medium. Overall growth was measured by an ocular micrometer. Routine histology, immunohistochemical detection of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and stereological quantification of PCNA expression were performed. RESULTS: At four time points, significantly lower overall growth was detected for fore- and hindlimb bud explants cultivated with 5azaC in comparison to controls. After the culture period, numerical density of the PCNA signal for both types of limb buds was lower than for controls (P<0.001). Limb buds were initially covered by immature epithelium and contained mesenchyme, myotubes, single hemangioblasts, hemangioblast aggregates, blood islands, and capillaries. Regardless of the treatment, cartilage and epidermis differentiated, but cells and structures typical for vasculogenesis disappeared. CONCLUSION: Our findings, obtained outside of the maternal organism, stress the importance of compromised cell proliferation for 5azaC impact on limb buds. This investigation points to the necessity to establish alternatives to in vivo research on animals using teratogenic agents.

Redefining the role of retinoic acid in limb development.

In recent years, the function of retinoic acid (RA) in limb development has been debated. In this issue of Cell Reports, Cunningham et al. show that RA antagonizes fibroblast growth factors for limb initiation, but not for limb patterning.