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Differential expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in the developing human fetal
C Huin1, L Corriveau, A Bianchi
1Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire du Développement, EA 2402 "Proliférateurs de Peroxysomes," Faculté des Sciences, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France.
Insights
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) subtypes are present early in human fetal digestive tract development. PPARgamma shows high expression, suggesting a crucial role in the developing gut.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors involved in various physiological processes.
- Understanding PPAR isotype expression during human fetal development is crucial for comprehending digestive tract morphogenesis.
- Specific roles of PPAR subtypes in the developing gastrointestinal system remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatiotemporal expression patterns of PPAR-alpha, -beta, and -gamma in the human fetal digestive tract.
- To determine the developmental stages and cellular origins of PPAR isotype expression.
- To elucidate the potential functional significance of PPARgamma in the developing human gut.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry using specific polyclonal antibodies on human fetal digestive tract tissues (gestation weeks 7-22).
- Western blotting and nuclease-S1 protection assay to confirm PPARgamma expression and specificity.
Main Results:
- PPAR isotypes (alpha, beta, gamma) are expressed from as early as 7 weeks of gestation in endodermal and mesodermal cells.
- PPARgamma expression is confirmed by Western blotting and nuclease-S1 protection assay, demonstrating it is not adipocyte-specific.
- PPARgamma exhibits high-level expression across various stages and regions (excluding the stomach) of the developing digestive tract, with distinct patterns for PPARalpha and PPARbeta.
Conclusions:
- PPAR subtypes are dynamically expressed during human fetal digestive tract development.
- High and consistent PPARgamma expression suggests a fundamental role in the development and/or physiology of the human digestive tract.
- These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms governing gut development and potential therapeutic targets.
Abstract:
We investigated the spatiotemporal distributions of the different peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) isotypes (alpha, beta, and gamma) during development (Week 7 to Week 22 of gestation) of the human fetal digestive tract by immunohistochemistry using specific polyclonal antibodies. The PPAR subtypes, including PPARgamma, are expressed as early as 7 weeks of development in cell types of endodermal and mesodermal origin. The presence of PPARgamma was also found by Western blotting and nuclease-S1 protection assay, confirming that this subtype is not adipocyte-specific. PPARalpha, PPARbeta, and PPARgamma exhibit different patterns of expression during morphogenesis of the digestive tract. Whatever the stage and the gut region (except the stomach) examined, PPARgamma is expressed at a high level, suggesting some fundamental role for this receptor in development and/or physiology of the human digestive tract.