In vitro analysis of versican in limb chondrogenesis utilizing the hdf transgenic mouse / by Danielle Marie Gillotte.

Author/creator Gillotte, Danielle Marie author.
Other author Capehart, Anthony A., degree supervisor.
Other author East Carolina University. Department of Biology.
Format Theses and dissertations
Production2003.
Descriptionvii, 63 leaves : illustrations (some color) ; 28 cm
Supplemental ContentAccess via ScholarShip
Subjects

Summary Limb cartilage is derived from undifferentiated mesenchymal cells. Proteoglycans play an integral part in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and are important components of the developing limb. Versican is a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan expressed by many developing tissues. Versican may be involved in limb chondrogenesis by interactions with cells and the ECM. Versican's role in cardiac development has been characterized in the heart defect (hdf) mouse. The hdf mouse contains an insertional mutation of the versican gene, interrupting expression of the mature proteoglycan. The hdf mouse serves as a viable model for versican's role in limb development. As the mutation is lethal in homozygotes by embryonic day 11 (before chondrogenic differentiation occurs) we developed a micromass tissue culture technique that prolonged forelimb viability from 10.5dpc embryos. Cartilage development in homozygous, heterozygous, and wild type embryos was compared to assess chondrogenic differences. Aggregation of the precartilage cells, expression of cartilage characteristic molecules, and versican presence were assayed using immunohistochemical and histochemical staining. Preliminary data indicated intense versican expression during aggregation. Statistical analysis of the wild type and heterozygous cultures appeared to support similar chondrogenic potential. Preliminary data indicated a lack of cartilage nodule formation in homozygous hdf embryos. Results of this study suggest that the mature versican proteoglycan is vital for aggregation during early stages of cartilage formation in embryonic limb development.
General notePresented to the faculty of the Department of Biology.
General noteAdvisor: Anthony A. Capehart
Dissertation noteM.S. East Carolina University 2003
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 52-60).
Genre/formAcademic theses.
Genre/formAcademic theses.
Genre/formThèses et écrits académiques.

Availability

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Joyner University Archives ASK AT SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DESK ✔ Available Request Material
Electronic Resources ✔ Available