Chondromodulin-I and tenomodulin are differentially expressed in the avascular mesenchyme during mouse and chick development

• Published in: Cell and tissue research 2008-04, Vol.332 (1), p.111-122
• Main Authors: Shukunami, Chisa, Takimoto, Aki, Miura, Shigenori, Nishizaki, Yuriko, Hiraki, Yuji
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors - genetics; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Birds; Cartilage - embryology; Cartilage - metabolism; Cellular biology; Chick Embryo; Collagen Type II - genetics; Comparative studies; Connective Tissue - embryology; Connective Tissue - metabolism; Embryo, Mammalian - metabolism; Embryo, Nonmammalian - metabolism; Gene Expression; Heart - embryology; High Mobility Group Proteins - genetics; Human Genetics; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - genetics; Ligaments - embryology; Ligaments - metabolism; Membrane Proteins - genetics; Membrane Proteins - metabolism; Mesoderm - embryology; Mesoderm - metabolism; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Molecular biology; Molecular Medicine; Musculoskeletal System - embryology; Musculoskeletal System - metabolism; Myocardium - metabolism; Notochord - embryology; Notochord - metabolism; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 - metabolism; Prenatal development; Proteomics; Regular Article; Rodents; SOX9 Transcription Factor; Spine - embryology; Spine - metabolism; Tendons - embryology; Tendons - metabolism; Transcription Factors - genetics
• ISSN: 0302-766X; 1432-0878
• DOI: 10.1007/s00441-007-0570-8

Chondromodulin-I (ChM-I) and tenomodulin (TeM) are homologous angiogenesis inhibitors. We have analyzed the spatial relationships between capillary networks and the localization of these molecules during mouse and chick development. ChM-I and TeM proteins have been localized to the PECAM-1-negative avascular region: ChM-I is expressed in the avascular cartilage, whereas TeM is detectable in dense connective tissues, including tendons and ligaments. We have also examined the vasculature of chick embryos by injection with India ink and have performed in situ hybridization of the ChM-I and TeM genes. The onset of ChM-I expression is associated with chondrogenesis during mouse embryonic development. ChM-I expression is also detectable in precartilaginous or noncartilaginous avascular mesenchyme in chick embryos, including the somite, sclerotome, and heart. Hence, the expression domains of ChM-I and TeM during vertebrate development incorporate the typical avascular regions of the mesenchymal tissues.