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Hybrid desmosomes in aggregated chick and mouse cells
The Journal of Experimental Zoology
|April 1, 1975
Summary
Desmosomes, cell adhesion structures, form between mouse and chick epithelial cells. Their presence and morphology suggest a role in how cells sort themselves during development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Desmosomes are crucial cell-cell adhesion structures.
- The formation and role of desmosomes during epithelial development are not fully understood.
- Cell sorting in embryonic tissues is a complex process influenced by cell adhesion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation and characteristics of desmosomes in developing mouse epidermis.
- To examine the interaction and junction formation between mouse skin epidermis and chick corneal epithelium.
- To explore the potential role of desmosomes in cell sorting within reaggregated tissues.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mouse embryo skin epidermis during maturation to observe desmosome development.
- Reaggregation of mouse skin epidermal cells with chick corneal epithelial cells.
- Use of cytochalasin B to inhibit cell sorting during reaggregation experiments.
Main Results:
- Desmosome frequency increases during mouse epidermis maturation.
- Mouse and chick epithelial cells form numerous desmosomes when reaggregated, even with inhibited cell sorting.
- Morphological similarities and differences in desmosomes between mouse and chick were noted.
- Limited or no specialized contacts formed between mouse epidermis and cardiac muscle or intestinal epithelium.
Conclusions:
- Desmosome formation is a dynamic process during epithelial development.
- Interactions between different epithelial cell types can lead to robust desmosome formation.
- Desmosomes may play a significant role in mediating cell adhesion and potentially influencing cell sorting.
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