During limb formation massive cell death in the mesenchyme of the interdigital spaces accompanies the formation of free digits. Members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily were discussed to play a key role in cell-cell interactions, important in the regulation of programmed cell death (PCD). TGF-β itself is believed to be involved in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. Here, we demonstrate that PCD is significantly reduced in interdigital spaces of the developing limbs of Tgfβ2-/-Tgfβ3-/- double knockouts. The regression of interdigital webs seems to be doses-dependent as interdigital mesenchyme is at least partly reduced in Tgfβ2-/-Tgfβ3+/- mutants, whereas interdigital zones of Tgfβ2-/-Tgfβ3-/- double knockouts reveal only minimal signs of regression. We conclude that TGF-β is a critical extrinsic regulator of PCD. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
CITATION STYLE
Dünker, N., Schmitt, K., & Krieglstein, K. (2002). TGF-β is required for programmed cell death in interdigital webs of the developing mouse limb. Mechanisms of Development, 113(2), 111–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-4773(02)00015-1
Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.