Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026
Preparation of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast Cells Suitable for Culturing Human Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Published on: June 21, 2012
Expression of the fibroblast activation protein during mouse embryo development
J Niedermeyer1, P Garin-Chesa, M Kriz
1Oncology Research Group, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma KG, Biberach, Germany.
Abstract:
Human Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP), a member of the serine prolyl oligopeptidase family, is a type II cell surface glycoprotein that acts as a dual-specificity dipeptidyl-peptidase (DPP) and collagenase in vitro. Its restricted expression pattern in embryonic mesenchyme, in wound healing and in reactive stromal fibroblasts of epithelial cancers, has suggested a role for the FAP protease in extracellular matrix degradation or growth factor activation in sites of tissue remodeling. The FAP homologue in Xenopus laevis has been reported to be induced in the thyroid hormone-induced tail resorption program during tadpole metamorphosis supporting a role for FAP in tissue remodeling processes during embryonic development. However, Fap-deficient mice show no overt developmental defects and are viable. To study the expression of FAP during mouse embryogenesis, a second Fap-deficient mouse strain expressing beta-Galactosidase under the control of the Fap promoter was generated by homologous recombination (Fap-/- lacZ mice). FAP deficiency was confirmed by the absence of FAP-specific dipeptidyl-peptidase activity in detergent-soluble extracts isolated from 17.5 d.p.c. Fap-/- lacZ embryos. We report that Fap-/- lacZ mice express beta-Galactosidase at regions of active tissue remodeling during embryogenesis including somites and perichondrial mesenchyme from cartilage primordia.
Insights
Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) plays a role in tissue remodeling during embryonic development. FAP-deficient mice show FAP expression in areas of active tissue remodeling, including somites and cartilage development.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) is a serine protease implicated in tissue remodeling.
- FAP's expression in embryonic mesenchyme and wound healing suggests roles in extracellular matrix degradation.
- Previous studies indicated FAP's involvement in tissue remodeling, but Fap-deficient mice showed no overt developmental defects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression pattern of FAP during mouse embryogenesis.
- To generate a Fap-deficient mouse model for studying FAP's developmental roles.
Main Methods:
- Generation of a Fap-deficient mouse strain (Fap-/- lacZ) using homologous recombination.
- Confirmation of FAP deficiency by assessing dipeptidyl-peptidase activity in Fap-/- lacZ embryos.
- Analysis of beta-Galactosidase expression driven by the Fap promoter in Fap-/- lacZ mice.
Main Results:
- Fap-/- lacZ mice confirmed FAP deficiency through lack of enzymatic activity.
- Beta-Galactosidase expression was observed in regions of active embryonic tissue remodeling.
- Specific expression sites included somites and perichondrial mesenchyme of cartilage primordia.
Conclusions:
- FAP is expressed in specific sites of active tissue remodeling during mouse embryogenesis.
- The Fap-/- lacZ mouse model is a valuable tool for studying FAP's role in development.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate FAP's function in embryonic tissue remodeling.
More Related Videos
11:00Reprogramming Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts with Transcription Factors to Induce a Hemogenic Program
Published on: December 16, 2016
09:16Suppression of Pro-fibrotic Signaling Potentiates Factor-mediated Reprogramming of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts into Induced Cardiomyocytes
Published on: June 3, 2018
