Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the progenitor cells of the vertebrate germ line. These cells originate outside of the embryo and, through separation, migration, and colonization, arrive at the genital ridge, contributing to gonad development. Diverse extracellular matrix molecules are present along the PGC migratory pathway, permitting or inhibiting PGC displacement. Collagens and tenascin form the substratum for in vitro migration of neural crest cells and PGCs. However, little is known about the expression and distribution of these molecules during in situ PGC migration. Using immunohistochemistry, we identified tenascin-C and types I, III, and V collagen along the mouse PGC migration pathway. These molecules were spatiotemporally expressed in basement membranes of hindgut, coelomic epithelia, and mesonephric tubules and mesenchyme throughout the study. Our results complement previous data from our laboratory and contribute to building comprehension of the composition of the mouse PGC migratory pathway extracellular matrix, thereby enhancing understanding of the process.
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Acknowledgements
The antibody against collagen V was a generous gift from Dr. Walcy Teodoro (College of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil). Dr. Mauricio Soto-Suazo was supported by the Program of Academic Advancement of the University of Santiago, Chile, and by a fellowship from CNPq (PD), Brazil. Sebastian San Martin was supported by fellowship from FAPESP (00/04078-4 and 01/01283-0), Brazil. We gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance of Cleusa M.R. Pellegrini. The project was supported by grant 01/01443-6 from FAPESP, Brazil.
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Soto-Suazo, M., San Martin, S. & Zorn, T.M.T. Collagen and tenascin-C expression along the migration pathway of mouse primordial germ cells. Histochem Cell Biol 121, 149–153 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-004-0621-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-004-0621-0