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Whole-mount Immunohistochemical Analysis for Embryonic Limb Skin Vasculature: a Model System to Study Vascular Branching Morphogenesis in Embryo
Published on: May 20, 2011
Differential effects of vascular endothelial growth factor on joint formation during limb development
Gloria Emelí Cortina-Ramírez1, Jesús Chimal-Monroy
1Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México DF 04510, Mexico.
Abstract:
During skeletal development the proliferating chondrocytes choose between two fates: to differentiate into prejoint cells or undergo hypertrophy. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) participates in endochondral ossification, but it is unknown whether it has a role in joint development. We evaluated the VEGF effects on joints, implanting VEGF-beads in the presumptive limb joints of chick embryos. The wrist and elbow showed partial and complete fusions. Using the model of ectopic digits induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), VEGF inhibited joint formation when it was applied after TGF-beta. These data suggest differential effects of VEGF on different joints during development.
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