Immunohistochemical Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies (PDs) as Markers of the Periderm in the Developing Chicken Embryo.

Abstract

The outermost surface cell layer of the developing embryo, the periderm, arises from the initial single layer of ectoderm and is eventually exfoliated from the stratified epidermis, which has the same ectodermal origin. In this study, monoclonal antibodies against chicken limb bud ectoderm were generated and screened for those which stained the periderm. Four separate antibodies termed PD2, 3, 7 and 9 were obtained from 180 mixed hybridomas. These PD antibodies stained the periderm selectively at all stages examined (stage 20-42). By correlating the results of immunohistochemistry with observations made by transmission electron microscopy, it was revealed that PD antibodies stained both the squamous periderm at an early stage and rounded bulging peridermal cells just before exfoliation. Therefore we feel that PD antibodies may be useful in further systematic investigations of the development and function of the chicken embryonic periderm.

Bves expression during avian embryogenesis

“…This one cell layer quickly becomes two layers, the outer being the temporary periderm, and the inner being the cuboidal germinal layer that gives rise to the stratified epidermis. The cells of the periderm die, keratinize, and are eventually exfoliated from the underlying stratified epidermis several days before hatching (Isokawa et al, 1996). In the developing skin, the epidermis that surrounds the embryo expresses Bves and the protein appears to be restricted to cell-cell borders (Fig.…”