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Isolation and Time-Lapse Imaging of Primary Mouse Embryonic Palatal Mesenchyme Cells to Analyze Collective Movement Attributes
Published on: February 13, 2021
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Depolarization induces calcium-dependent BMP4 release from mouse embryonic palate mesenchymal cells
Mikaela L Follmer1, Trevor J Isner1, Yunus H Ozekin1
1Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
Nature Communications
|November 12, 2024
Summary
Calcium signaling regulates Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) release during embryonic development. Ion channel disruption impairs BMP secretion and causes cleft palate in mice, revealing a mechanism for craniofacial development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cellular Physiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling is crucial for craniofacial development.
- Mechanisms controlling BMP secretion during development are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of calcium signaling and ion channels in regulating BMP secretion for craniofacial development.
- To elucidate the relationship between cellular depolarization, intracellular calcium transients, and BMP release.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mouse embryonic palate mesenchyme and cranial neural crest cells.
- Measured intracellular calcium changes using fluorescence imaging.
- Investigated the impact of Kcnj2 disruption on calcium transients and BMP secretion.
- Analyzed Kcnj2 knockout mice for craniofacial abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Depolarization triggers calcium-dependent BMP4 release from embryonic palate mesenchyme.
- Cranial neural crest cells exhibit endogenous intracellular calcium transients, suggesting electrical coupling and coordinated BMP release.
- These calcium transients persist throughout key developmental stages (embryonic day 9.5-13.5).
- Disruption of the Kcnj2 potassium channel reduced calcium transient amplitude and BMP secretion.
- Kcnj2 knockout mice displayed cleft palate and diminished BMP signaling.
Conclusions:
- Temporal control of developmental cues, including BMP signaling, is regulated by ion channels, depolarization, and intracellular calcium.
- This mechanism is critical for mammalian craniofacial morphogenesis.
- Kcnj2 plays a significant role in regulating calcium dynamics and BMP secretion during palate development.
