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Published on: January 14, 2017
Uneven distribution pattern and increasing numbers of mesenchyme cells during development in the starfish, Asterina
Gen Hamanaka1, Eri Hosaka, Ritsu Kuraishi
1School of Fundamental Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8522, Japan.
Abstract:
During development, the embryos and larvae of the starfish Asterina pectinifera possess a single type of mesenchyme cell. The aim of this study was to determine the patterns of behavior of mesenchyme cells during the formation of various organs. To this end, we used a monoclonal antibody (mesenchyme cell marker) to identify the distribution patterns and numbers of mesenchyme cells. Our results revealed the following: (i) mesenchyme cell behavior differs in the formation of different organs, showing temporal variations and an uneven pattern of distribution; and (ii) mesenchyme cells continue to be generated throughout development, and their numbers are tightly regulated in proportion to total cell numbers.
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