ISSN:
0003-276X
Keywords:
N-CAM
;
HNK-1
;
Neural crest cell
;
Rat
;
Heart
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background: Neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) is important in the migration of neural crest cells and is expressed in the developing heart. The pattern of expression of N-CAM in the heart of early rat embryos was investigated to shed light on the potential role of N-CAM in cardiac neural crest cell migration.Methods: N-CAM expression was studied by immunohistochemistry in Sprague-Dawley rat hearts between embryonic days 11.5 and 15.5 HNK-1 immunoreactivity was also investigated for comparison with that of N-CAM.Results: A continuity of N-CAM immunoreactivity was transiently detected from the outflow tract to the recurrent nerve. N-CAM was also expressed around the sinus venosus, inferior vena cava, sinotrial septum, and coronary sinus, as well as on mesenchymal cells in the atrioventricular endocardial cushion tissues.Conclusions: The continuous N-CAM immunoreactivity from the outflow tract to the recurrent nerve appeared to represent the pathway along which cardiac neural crest cells migrate. N-CAM-immunoreactive sites around the sinus venosus may correspond to migrating neural crest cells that differentiate into nerve fibers or cardiac ganglia. Results indicate that N-CAM may play an important role in the migration, proliferation, and transformation of neural crest cells, thereby contributing to cardiac morphogenesis and to innervation around the heart and great arteries. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Additional Material:
9 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.1092430213
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