Advances in live imaging early mouse development: exploring the researcher's interdisciplinary toolkit

Development ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 148 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Stower ◽  
Shankar Srinivas
Keyword(s):  
Early Development ◽  
Mouse Embryo ◽  
Embryo Culture ◽  
Computational Analysis ◽  
Live Imaging ◽  
Mouse Development ◽  
Mouse Embryogenesis ◽  
Dynamic Events ◽  
Early Mouse ◽  
Image Events

ABSTRACT Live imaging is an important part of the developmental biologist's armoury of methods. In the case of the mouse embryo, recent advances in several disciplines including embryo culture, microscopy hardware and computational analysis have all contributed to our ability to probe dynamic events during early development. Together, these advances have provided us with a versatile and powerful ‘toolkit’, enabling us not only to image events during mouse embryogenesis, but also to intervene with them. In this short Spotlight article, we summarise advances and challenges in using live imaging specifically for understanding early mouse embryogenesis.

scholarly journals Live imaging of X chromosome reactivation dynamics in early mouse development can discriminate naïve from primed pluripotent stem cells

Development ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 143 (16) ◽  
pp. 2958-2964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shin Kobayashi ◽  
Yusuke Hosoi ◽  
Hirosuke Shiura ◽  
Kazuo Yamagata ◽  
Saori Takahashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Pluripotent Stem Cells ◽  
Live Imaging ◽  
Mouse Development ◽  
Early Mouse

The Foxh1-dependent autoregulatory enhancer controls the level of Nodal signals in the mouse embryo

Development ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 129 (14) ◽  
pp. 3455-3468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic P. Norris ◽  
Jane Brennan ◽  
Elizabeth K. Bikoff ◽  
Elizabeth J. Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Embryo ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Axis Formation ◽  
Visceral Endoderm ◽  
Mouse Development ◽  
Developmental Abnormalities ◽  
Intronic Enhancer ◽  
Vertebrate Embryo ◽  
Early Mouse ◽  
Pitx2 Expression

The TGFβ-related growth factor Nodal governs anteroposterior (AP) and left-right (LR) axis formation in the vertebrate embryo. A conserved intronic enhancer (ASE), containing binding sites for the fork head transcription factor Foxh1, modulates dynamic patterns of Nodal expression during early mouse development. This enhancer is responsible for early activation of Nodal expression in the epiblast and visceral endoderm, and at later stages governs asymmetric expression during LR axis formation. We demonstrate ASE activity is strictly Foxh1 dependent. Loss of this autoregulatory enhancer eliminates transcription in the visceral endoderm and decreases Nodal expression in the epiblast, but causes surprisingly discrete developmental abnormalities. Thus lowering the level of Nodal signaling in the epiblast disrupts both orientation of the AP axis and specification of the definitive endoderm. Targeted removal of the ASE also dramatically reduces left-sided Nodal expression, but the early events controlling LR axis specification are correctly initiated. However loss of the ASE disrupts Lefty2 (Leftb) expression and causes delayed Pitx2 expression leading to late onset, relatively minor LR patterning defects. The feedback loop is thus essential for maintenance of Nodal signals that selectively regulate target gene expression in a temporally and spatially controlled fashion in the mouse embryo.

Expression of the gap junction proteins connexin31 and connexin43 correlates with communication compartments in extraembryonic tissues and in the gastrulating mouse embryo, respectively

1996 ◽  
Vol 109 (1) ◽  
pp. 191-197
Author(s):  
E. Dahl ◽  
E. Winterhager ◽  
B. Reuss ◽  
O. Traub ◽  
A. Butterweck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Embryo ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Mouse Development ◽  
Confocal Laser Scan Microscopy ◽  
Early Mouse ◽  
Junction Proteins ◽  
In Cells ◽  
Extraembryonic Tissues

We have characterized the pattern of connexin expression in embryonic and extraembryonic tissues during early mouse development. In the preimplantation blastocyst, at 3.5 days post coitum (dpc), immunofluorescent signals specific for connexin31 and connexin43 proteins were present in both the inner cell mass and the trophectoderm, as shown by confocal laser scan microscopy. Immediately after implantation at 6.5 dpc, however, we find complete compartmentation of these two connexins: connexin31 mRNA and protein are expressed exclusively in cells derived from the trophectoderm lineage, whereas connexin43 mRNA and protein are detected in cells derived from the inner cell mass. This expression pattern of connexin31 and connexin43 is maintained at 7.5 dpc when the axial polarity of the mouse embryo is established. It correlates with the communication compartments in extraembryonic tissues and the gastrulating mouse embryo, respectively. The communication boundary between those compartments may be due to incompatibility of connexin31 and connexin43 hemichannels, which do not communicate with each other in cell culture.

Expression pattern of Motch, a mouse homolog of Drosophila Notch, suggests an important role in early postimplantation mouse development

Development ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 737-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.F. Del Amo ◽  
D.E. Smith ◽  
P.J. Swiatek ◽  
M. Gendron-Maguire ◽  
R.J. Greenspan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fate ◽  
Mouse Embryo ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Drosophila Embryo ◽  
Mouse Development ◽  
Cell Fate Decisions ◽  
Early Mouse ◽  
Partial Cdna Clone

The Notch gene of Drosophila encodes a large transmembrane protein involved in cell-cell interactions and cell fate decisions in the Drosophila embryo. To determine if a gene homologous to Drosophila Notch plays a role in early mouse development, we screened a mouse embryo cDNA library with probes from the Xenopus Notch homolog, Xotch. A partial cDNA clone encoding the mouse Notch homolog, which we have termed Motch, was used to analyze expression of the Motch gene. Motch transcripts were detected in a wide variety of adult tissues, which included derivatives of all three germ layers. Differentiation of P19 embryonal carcinoma cells into neuronal cell types resulted in increased expression of Motch RNA. In the postimplantation mouse embryo Motch transcripts were first detected in mesoderm at 7.5 days post coitum (dpc). By 8.5 dpc, transcript levels were highest in presomitic mesoderm, mesenchyme and endothelial cells, while much lower levels were detected in neuroepithelium. In contrast, at 9.5 dpc, neuroepithelium was a major site of Motch expression. Transcripts were also abundant in cell types derived from neural crest. These data suggest that the Motch gene plays multiple roles in patterning and differentiation of the early postimplantation mouse embryo.

scholarly journals Distinct mesoderm migration phenotypes in extra-embryonic and embryonic regions of the early mouse embryo

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bechara Saykali ◽  
Navrita Mathiah ◽  
Wallis Nahaboo ◽  
Marie-Lucie Racu ◽  
Matthieu Defrance ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Embryo ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Primitive Streak ◽  
Live Imaging ◽  
Early Mouse Embryo ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Conditional Deletion ◽  
Mosaic Expression ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Early Mouse

ABSTRACTIn the gastrulating mouse embryo, epiblast cells delaminate at the primitive streak to form mesoderm and definitive endoderm, through an epithelial-mesenchymal transition.Mosaic expression of a membrane reporter in nascent mesoderm enabled recording cell shape and trajectory through live imaging. Upon leaving the streak, cells changed shape and extended protrusions of distinct size and abundance depending on the neighboring germ layer, as well as the region of the embryo. Embryonic trajectories were meandrous but directional, while extra-embryonic mesoderm cells showed little net displacement.Embryonic and extra-embryonic mesoderm transcriptomes highlighted distinct guidance, cytoskeleton, adhesion, and extracellular matrix signatures. Specifically, intermediate filaments were highly expressed in extra-embryonic mesoderm, while live imaging for F-actin showed abundance of actin filaments in embryonic mesoderm only. Accordingly, RhoA or Rac1 conditional deletion in mesoderm inhibited embryonic, but not extra-embryonic mesoderm migration.Overall, this indicates separate cytoskeleton regulation coordinating the morphology and migration of mesoderm subpopulations.

scholarly journals The muscle regulatory gene, Myf-6, has a biphasic pattern of expression during early mouse development.

1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (6) ◽  
pp. 1255-1265 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Bober ◽  
G E Lyons ◽  
T Braun ◽  
G Cossu ◽  
M Buckingham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Mouse Embryo ◽  
Regulatory Gene ◽  
Fiber Formation ◽  
Mouse Development ◽  
Limb Buds ◽  
Biphasic Pattern ◽  
Early Mouse ◽  
Temporal Expression Pattern ◽  
High Level

The spatial and temporal expression pattern of the muscle regulatory gene Myf-6 (MRF4/herculin) has been investigated by in situ hybridization during embryonic and fetal mouse development. Here, we report that the Myf-6 gene shows a biphasic pattern of expression. Myf-6 transcripts are first detected in the most rostral somites of the mouse embryo at 9 d of gestation and accumulate progressively in myotomal cells along the rostro-caudal axis. This expression is transient and Myf-6 mRNA can no longer be detected in myotomal cells after day 12 post coitum (p.c.). In contrast to other muscle determination genes (MyoD1, myogenin, Myf-5), Myf-6 mRNA is not detected in limb buds or visceral arches and skeletal muscle of the mouse embryo (day 8-15 p.c.). In fetal mice, Myf-6 transcripts appear at day 16 p.c. in all skeletal muscles, and the gene continues to be expressed at a high level after birth. These results suggest that early Myf-6 expression may be restricted to a population of myogenic cells that does not contribute to the embryonic muscle masses in limb buds and visceral arches. The reappearance of Myf-6 mRNA in fetal skeletal muscle coincides approximately with secondary muscle fiber formation and the onset of innervation.

scholarly journals Distinct mesoderm migration phenotypes in extra-embryonic and embryonic regions of the early mouse embryo

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bechara Saykali ◽  
Navrita Mathiah ◽  
Wallis Nahaboo ◽  
Marie-Lucie Racu ◽  
Latifa Hammou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Embryo ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Primitive Streak ◽  
Live Imaging ◽  
Early Mouse Embryo ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Conditional Deletion ◽  
Mosaic Expression ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Early Mouse

In mouse embryo gastrulation, epiblast cells delaminate at the primitive streak to form mesoderm and definitive endoderm, through an epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Mosaic expression of a membrane reporter in nascent mesoderm enabled recording cell shape and trajectory through live imaging. Upon leaving the streak, cells changed shape and extended protrusions of distinct size and abundance depending on the neighboring germ layer, as well as the region of the embryo. Embryonic trajectories were meandrous but directional, while extra-embryonic mesoderm cells showed little net displacement. Embryonic and extra-embryonic mesoderm transcriptomes highlighted distinct guidance, cytoskeleton, adhesion, and extracellular matrix signatures. Specifically, intermediate filaments were highly expressed in extra-embryonic mesoderm, while live imaging for F-actin showed abundance of actin filaments in embryonic mesoderm only. Accordingly, Rhoa or Rac1 conditional deletion in mesoderm inhibited embryonic, but not extra-embryonic mesoderm migration. Overall, this indicates separate cytoskeleton regulation coordinating the morphology and migration of mesoderm subpopulations.

Cranial paraxial mesoderm and neural crest cells of the mouse embryo: co-distribution in the craniofacial mesenchyme but distinct segregation in branchial arches

Development ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 121 (8) ◽  
pp. 2569-2582 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.A. Trainor ◽  
P.P. Tam
Keyword(s):  
Neural Crest ◽  
Mouse Embryo ◽  
Neural Crest Cells ◽  
Paraxial Mesoderm ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Cell Labelling ◽  
Mouse Development ◽  
Branchial Arches ◽  
Early Mouse ◽  
Derivatives Of

The spatial distribution of the cranial paraxial mesoderm and the neural crest cells during craniofacial morphogenesis of the mouse embryo was studied by micromanipulative cell grafting and cell labelling. Results of this study show that the paraxial mesoderm and neural crest cells arising at the same segmental position share common destinations. Mesodermal cells from somitomeres I, III, IV and VI were distributed to the same craniofacial tissues as neural crest cells of the forebrain, the caudal midbrain, and the rostral, middle and caudal hindbrains found respectively next to these mesodermal segments. This finding suggests that a basic meristic pattern is established globally in the neural plate ectoderm and paraxial mesoderm during early mouse development. Cells from these two sources mixed extensively in the peri-ocular, facial, periotic and cervical mesenchyme. However, within the branchial arches a distinct segregation of these two cell populations was discovered. Neural crest cells colonised the periphery of the branchial arches and enveloped the somitomere-derived core tissues on the rostral, lateral and caudal sides of the arch. Such segregation of cell populations in the first three branchial arches is apparent at least until the 10.5-day hindlimb bud stage and could be important for the patterning of the skeletal and myogenic derivatives of the arches.

scholarly journals Control of events during early cleavage of the mouse embryo: an analysis of the ‘2-cell block’

Development ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-133
Author(s):  
Martin J. Goddard ◽  
Hester P. M. Pratt
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Embryo ◽  
Amino Acid Uptake ◽  
Acid Uptake ◽  
Cell Block ◽  
Mouse Development ◽  
Early Cleavage ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Quantitative Changes ◽  
Early Mouse

Embryos from certain strains of mice do not develop into blastocysts when cultured in vitro from the 1- or 2-cell stages but arrest development as 2-cell embryos — a phenomenon referred to, as the ‘2-cell block’. Reciprocal crosses between eggs and sperm of a ‘blocking’ (CFLP) and ‘non-blocking’ (F1) strain show that in this combination the genotype of the egg alone determines whether the embryo ‘blocks’ at the 2-cell stage (or continues retarded development to the 4- to 6-cell stage in a minority of cases). A comparison of molecular and cellular development in normal and ‘blocked 2-cell’ embryos was therefore undertaken to investigate the influence of these maternal components on early mouse development. The results show that the majority of ‘blocked 2-cells’ arrest development at a stage equivalent to the late 2-cell stage in terms of cellular and nuclear division, DNA synthesis, activation of the embryonic genome, qualitative and quantitative changes in amino acid uptake, polypeptide synthesis and morphological maturation of organelles. These observations are compatiblewith the notion that maternally inherited developmental information plays an important role in controlling early cleavage of the mouse embryo.

Cell-matrix interactions in the early mouse embryo

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 600-601
Author(s):  
A.E. Sutherland ◽  
P.G. Calarco ◽  
C.H. Damsky
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Embryo ◽  
Giant Cells ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Integrin Subunit ◽  
Β1 Integrin ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Early Mouse Embryo ◽  
Migratory Activity ◽  
Early Mouse ◽  
Cell Matrix Interactions

Cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions mediated by the integrin family of receptors are critical for morphogenesis and may also play a regulatory role in differentiation during early development. We have examined the onset of expression of individual integrin subunit proteins in the early mouse embryo, and their roles in early morphogenetic events. As detected by immunoprecipitation, the α6, αV, β1, and β3 subunits are detected as early as the 4-cell stage, α5 at the hatched blastocyst stage and αl and α3 following blastocyst attachment. We tested the role of these integrins in the attachment and migratory activity of two cell populations of the early mouse embryo: the trophoblast giant cells, which invade the uterine stroma and ultimately contribute to the chorio-allantoic placenta, and the parietal endoderm, which migrates over the inner surface of the trophoblast and ultimately forms Reichert's membrane and the parietal yolk sac. Experiments were done in serum-free medium on substrates coated with laminin (Ln) and fibronectin (Fn). Trophoblast outgrowth occurs on Ln and its E8 fragment (long arm), but not on the E1’ fragment (cross region) (Figs. 1, 2 ). This outgrowth is inhibited by anti-E8, anti-Ln, and by the anti-β1 family antiserum anti-ECMR, but not by anti-αV or the function-perturbing GoH3 antibody that recognizes the α6/β1 integrin, a major Ln (E8) receptor. This suggests that trophoblast outgrowth on Ln or E8 is mediated by a different β1 integrin such as α3/β1. Early stages of trophoblast outgrowth (up to 48 hours) on Fn are inhibited by anti-Fn and by function-perturbing anti-αV antibodies, whereas at later times outgrowth becomes insensitive to anti-αV but remains sensitive to the anti-β1 family antiserum anti-ECMr, indicating that trophoblast cells modulate their interaction with Fn during outgrowth. Trophoblast outgrowth on vitronectin (Vn) is sensitive to anti-αV antibodies throughout the 5-day period examined.

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