Objective To explore the expression pattern and possible role of hypoxia inducible factor-1α ( HIF-1α ) in fetal vertebrae development of mouse. Methods The developmental stages of mice fetal vertebrae were obser...Objective To explore the expression pattern and possible role of hypoxia inducible factor-1α ( HIF-1α ) in fetal vertebrae development of mouse. Methods The developmental stages of mice fetal vertebrae were observed from embryonic days 13. 5 to 18. 5 ( E13. 5 to E18. 5 ) by stereoscopic and light microscopes respectively, and the expressions of HIF-1α at various times were also detected at levels of mRNA and protein by using methods of RT-PCR and Western blotting. Distribution of HIF-1α in the vertebrae was examined by immunohistochemical assay. Vascular endothelia growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and other chondro-osteoblast marker genes as type II collagen al ( Coll2al ) and osteocalcin (OCN) were detected by RT-PCR too. Results The cartilaginous spine column began to form at E13. 5, followed by the arising of the primary ossification center in vertebrae at E15. 5, then the osteogenesis expanded and extended to both sides of the vertebrae. HIF-1α mRNA began to express at E13. 5, and showed significantly higher level at E14. 5 ( P 〈 O. 05 ), then declined to a low level. VEGF mRNA expressed coincidently with HIF-1α. While HIF-1α protein expression was observed at E14. 5 and lasted at low level till to birth. The expression pattern of Coll2al and OCN elucidated the cell evolution from chondrocyte to osteoblast. Conclusion The developmental pattern of vertebrae appears to be an endochondral osteogenesis process. Existed hypoxia microenviroment in the vertebrae may increase HIF-1α mRNA and protein contents thus activate VEGF expression, as may be related to the activation of other downstream genes of hypoxia inducible factor-1α and initiate the cascade of endochondral osteogenesis.展开更多
基金Supported by Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation (No. 070413097)the Special Funds for Major State Basic Research Project of Shanghai (No. 04DZ05606)
文摘Objective To explore the expression pattern and possible role of hypoxia inducible factor-1α ( HIF-1α ) in fetal vertebrae development of mouse. Methods The developmental stages of mice fetal vertebrae were observed from embryonic days 13. 5 to 18. 5 ( E13. 5 to E18. 5 ) by stereoscopic and light microscopes respectively, and the expressions of HIF-1α at various times were also detected at levels of mRNA and protein by using methods of RT-PCR and Western blotting. Distribution of HIF-1α in the vertebrae was examined by immunohistochemical assay. Vascular endothelia growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and other chondro-osteoblast marker genes as type II collagen al ( Coll2al ) and osteocalcin (OCN) were detected by RT-PCR too. Results The cartilaginous spine column began to form at E13. 5, followed by the arising of the primary ossification center in vertebrae at E15. 5, then the osteogenesis expanded and extended to both sides of the vertebrae. HIF-1α mRNA began to express at E13. 5, and showed significantly higher level at E14. 5 ( P 〈 O. 05 ), then declined to a low level. VEGF mRNA expressed coincidently with HIF-1α. While HIF-1α protein expression was observed at E14. 5 and lasted at low level till to birth. The expression pattern of Coll2al and OCN elucidated the cell evolution from chondrocyte to osteoblast. Conclusion The developmental pattern of vertebrae appears to be an endochondral osteogenesis process. Existed hypoxia microenviroment in the vertebrae may increase HIF-1α mRNA and protein contents thus activate VEGF expression, as may be related to the activation of other downstream genes of hypoxia inducible factor-1α and initiate the cascade of endochondral osteogenesis.