Abnormal Notochord Branching Is Associated with Foregut Malformations in the Adriamycin Treated Mouse Model
Figure 3
Association between notochord branching (red stars) and foregut abnormalities in 6 Adriamycin treated embryos (A–F); A–C and E,F show immunolocalisation of HNF3β, D shows Shh gene expression following whole mount in situ hybridisation.
Virtual saggital sections of OPT reconstructions (A–C) demonstrate the different A-P levels of the abnormal branching notochord noted in the text; anterior to pharynx (A), at the level of the trachea (B), between the site of tracheal separation and the stomach (C). (D) shows Shh expression in an abnormally delaminated and branched notochord (red star). (E) shows a surface rendered reconstruction of HNF3β immunolocalisation illustrating association between an abnormal, heavy branch of the notochord (red star) and foregut atresia. (F) illustrates association between an abnormal, heavily branched notochord in a posterior location (red star) attached to the dorsal wall of the foregut and foregut stenosis. fp; floor plate, nc; notochord.