Altered PITX2 and LEF1 gene expression in the cadmium-induced omphalocele in the chick model
- نوع فایل : کتاب
- زبان : انگلیسی
- مؤلف : Takashi Doi • Prem Puri • John Bannigan • Jennifer Thompson
- چاپ و سال / کشور: 2011
Description
Purpose Although, recent studies have suggested that disruption of somitogenesis may be involved in ventral body wall (VBW) defects; the molecular mechanisms of VBW defects remain unclear. In the chick embryo, the administration of cadmium (Cd) induces VBW defects similar to the human omphalocele. In this model, the earliest histological change in the somite occurs commencing at 4 h post-Cd treatment (4 h). PITX2 is expressed in somites, and PITX2 mutants have been shown to display VBW defects. PITX2 interacts with lymphoid enhancer factor-1 (LEF1) to regulate somite myogenesis. We designed this study to investigate the hypothesis that PITX2 and LEF1 genes are downregulated during the critical period of early embryogenesis in the Cd-induced omphalocele chick model. Materials and methods Chick embryos were exposed to Cd or saline after 60 h incubation and harvested at 1, 4, and 8 h posttreatment. Chicks were then divided into two groups: control (n = 24), and Cd (n = 24). RT-PCR was performed and analyzed statistically (significant difference was accepted at p\0.05). Immunohistochemistry was also performed to evaluate expression/distribution of those proteins. Results The mRNA expression levels of PITX2 and LEF1 at 4 h were significantly decreased in the Cd group compared with controls, whereas there were no differences at the other time points. Immunoreactivity of those proteins at 4 h was also markedly decreased in somites in the Cdtreated embryos compared with controls. Conclusions Downregulation of PITX2 and LEF1 genes may interfere with ventral body wall formation in Cd chick model causingomphalocele by disrupting somitemyogenesis.
Pediatr Surg Int (2011) 27:495–499 DOI 10.1007/s00383-010-2829-5 Published online: 23 January 2011
