Molecular control of cell differentiation and programmed cell death during digit development

During the hand plate development, the processes of cell differentiation and control of cell death are relevant to ensure a correct shape of the limb. The progenitor cell pool that later will differentiate into cartilage to form the digits arises from undifferentiated mesenchymal cells beneath the apical ectodermal ridge (AER). Once these cells abandon the area of influence of signals from AER and ectoderm, some cells are committed to chondrocyte lineage forming the digital rays. However, if the cells are not committed to chondrocyte lineage, they will form the prospective interdigits that in species with free digits will subsequently die. In this work, we provide the overview of the molecular interactions between different signaling pathways responsible for the formation of digit and interdigit regions. In addition, we briefly describe some experiments concerning the most important signals responsible for promoting cell death. Finally, on the basis that the interdigital tissue has chondrogenic potential, we discuss the hypothesis that apoptotic-promoting signals might also act as antichondrogenic factors and chondrogenic factors might operate as anti-apoptotic factors.