Ultrastructural identification of extracellular matrix and cell surface components during limb morphogenesis in man

Development of the human hand plate (stages 16-17) has been analyzed with emphasis on differentiation of elements within the extracellular matrix and the composition of the mesenchymal cell surface. The epithelial-mesenchymal interface contains a basal lamina and a sublaminar matrix exhibiting: (a) collagen fibrils with characteristic 63-64 nm banding: (b) non-banded filaments, 10-15 nm in diameter; (c) ruthenium red-positive particles, 12-15 nm in diameter; and (d) attenuated threads, 3-5-5-0 nm in diameter which inter-connect particles, fibrils, filaments and the basal lamina. Processes of mesenchymal cells penetrate this matrix network. In addition to staining with ruthenium red, components of basal laminae bind to ferritin-conjugated Concanavalin A, greatest binding being localized on the mesenchymal surface of the lamina. Asymmetry of binding is removed by incubation of exposed laminae with trypsin (5 mug/ml). Regional differences in these staining and binding characteristics within the subepithelial matrix have not been observed in the hand plate. However, precartilaginous extracellular zones deep within the plate are notably unstructured in comparison to the sublaminar region. Ruthenium red-positive materials at mesenchymal cell surfaces display sensitivity to testicular hyaluronidase, Pronase and trypsin but resist removal with neuraminidase and EDTA. These features of the substrate in situ may be important in the regulation of mesenchymal cell behavior during limb morphogenesis in man.