Download Rat embryonic ectoderm as renal isograft - Development

J. Embryol. exp. Morph. 94, 1-27 (1986)
Printed in Great Britain © The Company of Biologists Limited 1986
REVIEW ARTICLE
Rat embryonic ectoderm as renal isograft
ANTON SVAJGER
Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb,
Salata3, P.O. Box 166, 41001 Zagreb, Yugoslavia
BOZICA LEVAK-SVAJGER AND NIKOLA SKREB
Institute of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Salata3, P.O. Box
166, 41001 Zagreb, Yugoslavia
INTRODUCTION
Experimental results obtained many years ago revealed that during gastrulation
(with the primitive streak and the mesoderm formation as distinct features) the
early rodent embryo undergoes essential changes in its response to extrinsic
teratogens (Russell & Russell, 1954; Wilson, 1954; Skreb, 1961; Skreb & Bijelic,
1962; Skreb & Frank, 1963). It has also been shown that the ultrastructural,
histochemical and biosynthetic features of the embryo are subject to substantial
changes during this period (Solter, Damjanov & Skreb, 1970, 1973; Dziadek &
Adamson, 1978; Bode & Dziadek, 1979; Wartiovaara, Leivo & Vaheri, 1979;
Jackson et al. 1981; Franke et al. 1982a, b). This suggests a restriction of developmental capacities (i.e. the loss of the capacity of regulation) in groups of
embryonic cells at this developmental stage.
According to the current concept, the initial cell population from which this
restriction starts, resides within the embryonic ectoderm of the pregastrulation or
preprimitive streak embryo (primitive or primary ectoderm). The first experimental evidence in favour of this view was contributed by Grobstein (1952).
A more rigorous analysis has been made possible by the improvement of the
technique of separation of germ layers (Levak-Svajger, Svajger & Skreb, 1969;
Svajger & Levak-Svajger, 1975). The developmental potential of isolated germ
layers of the rat embryo has been tested by grafting them under the kidney capsule
of adult syngeneic animals and by histological analysis of the resulting teratomas
(Skreb & Svajger, 1975; Skreb, Svajger & Levak-Svajger, 1976; Svajger, LevakSvajger, Kostovic-Knezevic & Bradamante, 1981).
The space between the kidney capsule and the parenchyma of the adult kidney
offers a suitable environment for growth and differentiation of both the whole rat
egg-cylinder and the separate germ layers (Skreb & Svajger, 1975). However, even
in this favourable ectopic site the transferred ectoderm undergoes considerable
Key words: rat embryo, renal isograft, ectopic grafts, kidney capsule.
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changes in its morphogenetic behaviour when compared with its normal development in situ (Svajger et al 1981). Here we review the essential results from
experiments with renal isografts of rat embryonic ectoderm, compare them with
the relevant results obtained in other experimental systems and give a critical
evaluation of conclusions in the light of the atypical features which may occur in
ectopic grafts.
TERMINOLOGY
Several synonyms have been used to designate the three germ layers: ectoderm
(epiblast, ectoblast, ectophyll), mesoderm (mesoblast) and endoderm (hypoblast,
endoblast, endophyll). The terms epiblast and hypoblast are commonly used for
the primitive germ layers of the early chick embryo, while the terms ectoderm and
endoderm are more common in mammalian embryology. The parallel or even
combined usage of these sets of terms is confusing. It is therefore high time to
decide to use a strictly unique terminology, at least for the mammalian embryo. It
is important to distinguish between germ layers before gastrulation {the primitive
or primary ectoderm and endoderm) and after the completion of gastrulation
{definitive ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm). The criteria are given in Table 1.
Without the adjectives 'primitive' or 'primary' the terms ectoderm, mesoderm and
endoderm (endo = ento) mean definitive germ layers. In connection with the
mesoderm (which lacks a topographically analogous cell layer before gastrulation)
the adjectives 'primary' and 'secondary' are sometimes used to designate the
Table 1. Survey of rat embryonic germ layers
Germ layer
Primitive (primary)
ectoderm
Precursor cell
population
Stage of
appearance
Inner cell mass
Blastocyst stage
Undergoes gastrulation and
gives rise to definitive
embryonic germ layers
Contributes to the extraembryonic endoderm of
the visceral and parietal
yolk sac
Primitive ectoderm
Gastrulation
Undergoes neurulation and
gives rise to neural tissue,
epidermis, other 'ectodermal epithelia' and
neural crest
Differentiates into the
surface and glandular epithelium of the primitive gut
Undergoes partial segmentation and gives rise to
mesenchymal and epithelial
'mesodermal derivatives'
Primitive (primary)
endoderm
(Definitive)
ectoderm
(Definitive)
endoderm
Mesoderm
Developmental
significance
Rat embryonic ectoderm as renal isograft
3
developmental stages of the mesenchyme as the first and most widespread tissue
type of mesodermal origin. The mesodermal cells leave the primitive streak in the
form of the primary mesenchyme, which then consolidates into provisory epithelial structures (somites, intermediary mesoderm, lateral plates). These in turn
partly dissociate to form the secondary mesenchyme (sclerotome, dermatome,
myotome, renal and lateral plate mesenchyme) (Hay, 1968).
The terms proximal and distal (ectoderm) refer to the position in relation to the
amnion and other extraembryonic membranes, and the terms anterior {frontal),
posterior and lateral refer to the position in relation to the embryonic axis (see
Poelmann, 1980ft; Snow, 1981; Beddington, 1983a; Tarn & Meier, 1982; Tarn,
1984).
The embryonic germ layers are continuous with those which make the extraembryonic membranes. The latter will not be considered in this text.
In order to simplify the explanation of some results reviewed here, we will
sometimes use the adjectives 'ectodermal', 'endodermal' and 'mesodermal' with
quotation marks to designate the tissues or cells which are supposed to derive from
the corresponding definitive germ layers in situ. However, in view of the atypical
morphogenetic events which occur in renal isografts of the isolated primitive
ectoderm, it is actually meaningless to speak of the germ layer origin of tissue
constituents of the resulting teratomas. In general, the terminological designations
of the germ layers will be used here in their classical, topographical meanings, which do
not imply their actual potencies for tissue differentiation in situ and in various
experimental conditions.
MANIPULATION OF EMBRYOS
Isolation of germ layers includes the treatment of embryonic shields with
proteolytic enzymes (0-5 % trypsin + 2-5 % pancreatin in calcium- and magnesium-free Tyrode's saline at +4°C for 15-30 min) and microsurgery with
electrolytically sharpened and polished tungsten needles (Levak-Svajger et al.
1969; Svajger & Levak-Svajger, 1975; see Snow, 1978 for modifications). The
isolated pieces are transferred with a specially designed glass pipette under the
kidney capsule of syngeneic adult male rats. Teratomas are fixed after 15-30 days
and processed for routine histology.
Isolation of germ layers is the crucial step in the procedure because an
incomplete separation would render any reasonable interpretation of the results
impossible. A clean separation of 'uncontaminated' germ layers is facilitated by
the existence of enzyme-susceptible basement membranes between them (Pierce,
1966; Adamson & Ayers, 1979) and by the inherent tendency of the ectoderm to
rearrange its cytoskeleton and to invaginate during neurulation. The initial
detachment of the ectoderm usually occurs spontaneously after treatment with
enzymes. Any subsequent surgery can be controlled by careful inspection during
manipulation under the operating microscope. The separation of germ layers is
only impossible in the region of the primitive streak, where the ectoderm lacks
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a basement membrane (see Mitrani, 1982 and Sanders, 1984 for avian embryos)
and continuity exists between mesodermal, endodermal and ectodermal cells
(Poelmann, 1980a).
EXOGENEOUS INFLUENCES UPON THE GRAFT
In this experimental system the embryonic ectoderm is subject to atypical
exogeneous influences during isolation, grafting procedures and development in
the host. These are: (a) interruption of the supply of oxygen and nutrients by
uterine blood circulation, (b) influence of new environmental constituents (saline,
serum, enzymes), (c) surgical trauma, (d) loss of connection with extraembryonic
membranes and of contact with extraembryonic fluids, (e) altered physical
(spatial) conditions after transplantation, (f) reduced supply of oxygen and
nutrients before full vascularization of the graft, and (g) putative interactive
influences from the host tissues. The effects of these factors on the growth,
morphogenesis and differentiation of the isolated ectoderm as a renal isograft are
poorly understood or completely unknown.
Isolation and transfer of the ectoderm
Proteolytic enzymes act by digesting the glycoproteins (laminin and fibronectin)
of the basement membrane (Zimmermann, Merker & Barrach, 1982). Although
the exposure to enzymes is not harmless to the components and the properties of
the cell surface (Waymouth, 1974; Maslow, 1976), the cells are subsequently able
to restore their basement membrane and other pericellular materials (Osman &
Rush, 1981) and to retain a high percentage viability (Dziadek, 1981). In the light
of evidence for rapid wound healing in rat embryos (Smedley & Stanisstreet, 1984)
and of an efficient regulation of extensive random cell loss in the mouse embryo
(Snow & Tarn, 1979), the surgical trauma during separation and transfer is not
likely to influence the developmental capabilities of the ectoderm.
Influence of the new environment
Prior to isolation the free and the basal surfaces of the embryonic ectoderm are
in contact with the amniotic fluid and the basal lamina respectively. After transfer
to an ectopic site the early embryonic cells are surrounded by mature tissues of the
host. An influence of this new, atypical environment on the grafted ectoderm
cannot be absolutely excluded. It is, however, highly improbable that this
influence is of a classical inductive type. It has been demonstrated that the basic
structure of the renal capsule is essentially the same in various mammalian species.
It consists of an outer connective tissue layer, a layer of atypical smooth muscle
cells with adrenergic innervation and vascularized loose connective tissue adjacent
to the renal parenchyma (Bulger, 1973; Kobayashi, 1978). These structures are
unlikely to act as embryonic inducers of differentiation. Differently structured
host tissues: the iris of the rabbit (Levak-Svajger & Skreb, 1965), the capsule of
the testis (Diwan & Stevens, 1976) and the cheek pouch of the golden hamster
Rat embryonic ectoderm as renal isograft
(Damjanov, 1978) also allow a wide range of various tissue differentiation in
grafted egg-cylinders. On the other hand, even in a 'controlled environment'
in vitro non-specific constituents of the substratum and the culture medium can
elicit the expression of atypical phenotypes in cultured tissue (differentiation of
contracting striated muscle fibers from pituitary cultures, Brunner & Tschank,
1982).
As pointed out previously (Levak-Svajger & Svajger, 1974), the great diversity
of differentiation and organotypic tissue associations in teratomas is unlikely to be
induced by the host tissues. The presence of tissue derivatives of particular germ
layers varies regularly in relation to the original germ-layer composition of the
graft. It is therefore most probable that the final composition of the grafts reflects a
good deal their initial developmental capacities.
The influence of the host tissues might, however, be of a non-inductive nature.
This concerns mainly the proper and quick incorporation and vascularization of
grafts which are regularly achieved in a renal site but much less so in an intraocular
one (Skreb & Levak, 1960). The influence of the host's sex hormones (male
recipients!) has not been observed since the appropriate target organs (except
prostatic rudiments and occasional praeputial glands) have never developed in
grafts.
Also in explants of rat embryonic shields cultivated in vitro the quality of tissue
differentiation has been shown to vary with respect to the composition and the
physical features of the in vitro environment as well as to the frequency of renewal
of the culture medium (Skreb & Crnek, 1977,1980).
MORPHOGENETIC BEHAVIOUR OF THE EMBRYONIC ECTODERM AS A RENAL
ISOGRAFT
It has been demonstrated that during normal gastrulation in situ of both chick
and mouse embryos the primitive ectoderm is subject to temporally and spatially
coordinated movements of individual cells in migrating cell streams which use the
primitive streak as the passageway to their final destinations (Solursh & Revel,
1978). Approaching the primitive streak the cells of the primitive ectoderm lose
their basement membrane (Mitrani, 1982; Sanders, 1984, chick embryo), acquire a
bottle-like shape (Tarn & Meier, 1982, mouse embryo) and move downwards to
incorporate into the definitive endoderm and mesoderm. At the edges of the
primitive streak the cells display an active blebbing of the basal surfaces (Sanders,
1984). This is a common feature in embryonic epithelial cells which have lost their
basement membranes (Lieb & De Paola, 1981; Osman & Ruch, 1981; Sugrue &
Hay, 1981).
In our experiments isolated rat embryonic ectoderm has been transferred under
the kidney capsule without the basement membrane which in situ maintained its
epithelial structure and regulated the migration of the mesenchyme through the
primitive streak (Hay, 1973; Sanders, 1984). This was very probably the major
cause of atypical and irregular morphogenetic behaviour of the ectoderm in
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isografts, which was described in detail by Svajger et al. (1981). The essential
course of events comprises the breaking up of the coherent epithelial structure of
the ectoderm and its conversion into an unorganized, mesenchyme-like cell mass.
As a secondary event, rosette-like, cystic or tubular structures form out of this
mesenchyme. They probably represent the rudiments of the future epithelial
structures within the teratomas. Another form of mesenchyme production has
been observed in grafts of head-fold-stage embryonic ectoderm: protrusion of cell
groups beyond the basal boundary of the epithelium, which is strongly reminiscent
of the initial migration of neural crest cells in situ (Vermeij-Keers & Poelmann,
1980). Even during normal development of the mouse embryo in situ, at the stages
prior to neurulation, small focal disruptions of the epithelial organization were
observed in the lateral ectoderm of the mouse embryo (i.e. beyond the primitive
streak region, Poelmann, 1980a).
Dissociation of the epithelium into amorphous cell aggregates was also observed
in renal isografts of the caudal end of the mouse embryo (Tarn, 1984), in testicular
grafts of 2-cell mouse eggs (Stevens, 1968) and in cultures of chick digestive tract
epithelium (Sumiya, 1976). Although considered here as atypical in comparison
with normal gastrulation in situ, this basic morphogenetic mechanism is at work in
various developmental processes in vertebrates: the formation of the neural crest
(Vermeij-Keers & Poelmann, 1980) and of the secondary mesenchyme (Hay,
1968), the formation of the tail bud (Bijtel, 1936; Jolly & Ferester-Tadie, 1936;
Peter, 1941; Meier & Jacobson, 1982; Nakao & Ischizawa, 1984; Schoenwolf,
1984), and partially in the formation of some cranial peripheral ganglia (Ariens
Kappers, 1941; Verwoerd & van Oostrom, 1979; D'Amico-Martel & Noden,
1983). Even regressive processes in embryogenesis, such as the disappearance of
the Miillerian ducts in the male mouse embryos, may involve this mechanism
(Trelstad, Hayashi, Hayashi & Donahoe, 1982; Paranko, Pelliniemi & Foidart,
1984). On the other hand, the formation of mesenchyme through an analogoue of
the primitive streak is always attained when the early mouse embryo (or the
embryonic body) is allowed to develop in vitro without disrupting its extraembryonic cavities and membranes (Wiley & Pedersen, 1977; Wiley, Spindle &
Pedersen, 1978; Libbus & Hsu, 1980; Uno, 1982).
The transformation of epithelial cells into mesenchymal ones is a phenomenon
of general importance in developmental biology. It can be induced in some
embryonic epithelia by appropriate culture conditions (Hay, 1978; Greenberg &
Hay, 1982). It is not yet clear whether all epithelia retain an inherent potency to
become mesenchymal cells under certain circumstances, nor what constitute the
control mechanisms of epithelial and mesenchymal cell shape (Hay, 1973).
The formation of rosette-like, cystic and tubular epithelial structures within the
amorphous cell mass apparently occurs during normal morphogenesis of renal
tubules and is also comparable with the formation of cavities in aggregates from
mixed suspensions of amphibian embryonic cells (Townes & Holtfreter, 1955).
Epithelial structures in the posterior end of the mouse embryo such as the
secondary neural tube (Criley, 1969; Schoenwolf, 1984) and the tail gut (Svajger,
Rat embryonic ectoderm as renal isograft
Kostovic-Knezevic, Bradamante & Wrischer, 1985) develop by an analogous
mechanism. Cystic and tubular transformation of the mesenchyme also occurs
in mouse embryos bearing T-locus mutations (Spiegelman & Bennett, 1974;
Spiegelman, 1976; Fujimoto & Yanagisawa, 1979).
COMPOSITION OF TERATOMAS
Course of development
In a previous study the course of development of isolated head-fold-stage
embryonic ectoderm as a renal isograft was recorded at 2- to 3-day intervals
(Levak-Svajger & Svajger, 1979). The above mentioned breaking up into mesenchyme and the formation of epithelial cysts took place during the first three days
after transfer. After 5 days the graft enlarged and became vascularized. It
contained large amounts of immature neural tissue with areas of massive cell
necrosis. The initial formation of the epidermis and myotubes could be observed.
The rest of the mesenchyme was undifferentiated. After 7 days the differentiation
of the neural tissue and of the epidermis was advanced and the first chondrogenic
blastemas appeared. Nine days after transfer the grafts contained abundant neural
tissue, striated muscle and cartilage. Ossification started and the epidermis showed
the onset of keratinization and of the formation of hair buds. Adipose tissue
appeared after 12 days. There was a considerable variation in the size of tumours,
even within a single experimental series. In general, it paralleled the duration of
development in the host. There was a consistent transition from a discoid shape
to massive, tuberous teratomas which only rarely penetrated into the renal
parenchyma.
Tissue differentiation
The chaotic arrangement of mature tissues, often associated in a clearly
recognizable organotypic combination (Skreb & Svajger, 1975; Svajger, LevakSvajger, Kostovic-Knezevic & Bradamante, 1981) conformed to the definition and
characterization of benign or mature embryo-derived teratomas (Damjanov &
Solter, 1974; Solter, Damjanov & Koprowski, 1975) and of spontaneous benign
teratomas observed in man (Willis, 1935,1962; O'Hare, 1978) and in some strains
of mice (Stevens & Hummel, 1957; Stevens, 1967). The tissue composition of
teratomas varied according to the initial developmental stage of the ectoderm (see
the next section), but in the most favourable cases (the primitive ectoderm grafted
for 30 days) the tumours regularly consisted of tissue derivatives of all three
definitive germ layers in the classical sense of the germ layer definition:
'Ectodermal tissues': skin (epidermis, hairs, sebaceous and mammary glands),
neural tissue (brain, neural retina, choroid plexus, ganglia) and others (lentoids,
oral cavity, teeth, salivary glands).
'Endodermal tissues': foregut-derived epithelia (pharynx, tongue, salivary
glands, thyroid, thymus, parathyroid, oesophagus, stomach, respiratory tube,
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A. SVAJGER, B. LEVAK-SVAJGER AND N. SKREB
lung, pancreas), midgut- and hindgut-derived epithelia (small and large intestine,
urogenital sinus, prostatic gland).
'Mesodermal tissues': white and brown adipose tissues, cartilage, membrane
and endochondral bone, smooth, skeletal and cardiac muscle.
Well-expressed organotypic differentiation and combinations of tissues were
comprehensively described and discussed in our previous publications (Skreb &
Svajger, 1975; Svajger, Levak-Svajger, Kostovic-Knezevic & Bradamante, 1981).
The endoderm-derived epithelia were outstanding in displaying a wide range of
segment-specific features. In general, characteristic associations of tissues, which
normally occur during embryogenesis in situ, also occurred in teratomas: pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium-I-hyaline cartilage (respiratory tube),
stomach and intestinal epithelium with glands + layers of smooth muscle with
intramural ganglia (eosinophils and plasmocytes in the lamina propria!), ependyma of the choroid plexus + an ample subependymal vascular network.
With the occasional exception of the neural retina, the mature neural tissue,
which histologically mimicked the brain, did not display the cytoarchitectonics
typical of any particular segment of the central nervous system. According to
observations on the neurulating mouse embryo in situ, the anterior part of the
embryonic ectoderm (rostral to the Hensen's node) gives rise to all segments of the
brain (Tamarin & Boyde, 1976; Jacobson & Tam, 1982; Meier & Tarn, 1982).
There are also structures which never differentiate in teratomas (liver, kidney,
adrenal, gonads, germ cells, pituitary, notochord). This could probably be
explained by the lack of the delicate topographically and chronologically regulated
tissue displacements and interactions which operate during the normal development of these organs in situ. The primordial germ cells are first distinguishable at
the posterior end of the late-primitive-streak mouse embryo (Heath, 1978; Tam &
Snow, 1981; Snow, 1981; McLaren, 1983; Beddington, 1983a). Their position
before and early in gastrulation is not known and very probably they were not
included in the primitive ectoderm isolated for grafting in our experiments.
Incidence of differentiated tissues
The grafting experiments with isolated germ layers have been based on the
presumption that the tissue composition of resulting teratomas reflected the initial
developmental potential of the isolated cell population. However, this potential
cannot be evaluated only in terms of the incidence of tissues differentiated in
grafts. The major characteristics of the experimental embryonic teratomas is their
structural polymorphism. The presence of different tissues varies a great deal
among grafts of the same embryonic origin (Skreb, Svajger & Levak-Svajger,
1971; Levak-Svajger & Svajger, 1971,1974). The tissue composition of teratomas
is therefore most probably dependent on more factors than the mere developmental capacity of the initial group of embryonic cells. The following factors might
be involved, (a) Massive cell necrosis, which exceeds the normal rate of early
ectodermal cell death in situ (Poelmann & Vermeij-Keers, 1976) occurs within the
immature neural tissue a few days after transfer (Levak-Svajger & Svajger, 1979)
Rat embryonic ectoderm as renal isograft
9
as well as in the mature neural tissue later on (Svajger, Levak-Svajger, KostovicKnezevic & Skreb, 1985). At this time the neuroectoderm grows intensively and
this growth is not supported by adequate vascularization. In grafts in which the
delay of blood supply is not too long, the developing neural tissue can recover
from the initial cell loss and subsequently differentiates into masses of mature
neural tissue (the usual feature in large tumours). On the other hand, in some
tumours, very probably because of prolonged inadequate vascularization, the
neural tissue undergoes further regression and sometimes almost completely
disappears. That the amount and quality of tissue differentiation is dependent on
an effective graft incorporation and vascularization became evident in experiments with intraocular grafts of the rat egg-cylinders (Skreb & Levak, 1960;
Levak-Svajger & Skreb, 1965). (b) Tissues which originate from large presumptive
(prospective) areas (neuroectoderm, gut, mesenchymal tissues) differentiate more
frequently and in larger amounts than those which in situ develop from restricted
areas of the germ layers (teeth, stomach, thymus, thyroid, parathyroid), (c) Some
tissues need more time for their final differentiation and therefore appear more
frequently in tumours after 30 days (adipose tissue, bone, skeletal muscle, derivatives of the foregut etc.). (d) The phenotypic expression of 'endodermal' differentiation might be masked by the accumulation of intracystic fluid. The resulting
distended cysts do not display organotypic epithelial features but are lined by a
non-specific, flattened epithelium (Usadel, Rockert, Obert & Schoffling, 1970).
Summing up, the final phenotype expressed in renal isografts of early rat
embryonic germ layers results not only from their initial developmental capacities,
but also from various, usually ill-defined and uncontrolled events which occur
within the interval between the tissue isolation and the fixation of teratomas for
histology.
GERM LAYER ORIGIN OF TISSUES
The classical view of germ layer origin of various tissues has been modified by
the experience that the same tissues can originate from different definitive germ
layers (see De Beer, 1947). It is therefore hardly possible to interpret with absolute
certainty the complex structure of teratomas in terms of the provenance of
different tissues from particular germ layers. This holds especially for some
typically 'mesodermal' tissues which may develop from the mesenchyme of both
mesodermal and ectodermal (neural crest, tail bud) origin. In this review we use
the conventional terms for the germ layers and of their tissue and organ
derivatives, while constantly keeping in mind the very restricted developmental
value of these terminological designations.
Neural tissue and epidermis are exclusively of ectodermal origin. Neuroectoderm is the first tissue which appears and grows in grafts of the primitive ectoderm
(Levak-Svajger & Svajger, 1979). Epidermis develops from undifferentiated epithelial cysts, which form early after grafting (Svajger et al. 1981). The final
epidermal phenotype is evident when hair buds appear on the basal side of the
10
A. SVAJGER, B. LEVAK-SVAJGER AND N. SKREB
keratinized squamous epithelium. The same type of epithelium (without the skin
appendages) may be of endodermal origin. It lines the mucous membranes of the
oesophagus and the cardia of the stomach.
Ciliated columnar, pseudostratified epithelium with goblet cells and adjacent
glands is the most common epithelial structure in teratomas. It is usually
considered as an endodermal tissue, but the nasal cavity which is of ectodermal
origin, is also lined by this type of epithelium. Even the large salivary glands seem
to be of dual germ-layer origin. The parotid gland is probably of ectodermal
origin, while the submandibular and sublingual glands are endodermal derivatives
(Hamilton, Boyd & Mossman, 1976). This view is supported by the experience
that the parotid gland acts as an integumental derivative and the submandibular
gland as a gut derivative in tissue recombination experiments (Kollar, 1983).
The epithelial lining of the intestine is nowadays commonly considered as a
derivative of the primitive ectoderm. Not only the experimental evidence (see
Rossant & Papaioannou, 1977 and Beddington, 1983£ for a review), but also
morphological observations indicate this cell lineage (Jolly & Ferester-Tadie,
1936; Jurand, 1974; Poelmann, 19816). A minor contribution of the primitive
endoderm to the hindgut was suggested by Jolly & Ferester-Tadie (1936). In a
recent publication Jackson et al (1981) argued on the basis of ultrastructural
features that the ileum, unlike the rest of the small intestine, is derived from the
primitive embryonic endoderm. However the ultrastructure of a cell type is not
necessarily dependent on its germ layer origin. As an example, all epithelial cells
involved in the transport of water and ions display the same general ultrastructural
features, regardless of their embryonic origin (choroid plexus, ciliary body
epithelium, stria vascularis of the inner ear, striated ducts of the large salivary
glands, convoluted tubules of the kidney). On the other hand, in all our experiments with the primitive ectoderm as a renal isograft, all segments of the
primitive gut developed (including the very posterior hindgut derivatives: the large
bowel and the urogenital sinus). It seems improbable that only a short segment of
the small intestine would have a different origin.
Epithelial organs of mesodermal origin (kidney, adrenal cortex, gonads) never
developed in grafts. Mesenchymal tissues, however, appeared regularly and made
up a considerable part of teratomas. Except for adipose tissue and cardiac muscle,
mesenchymal tissues could also have developed from neural crest cells (Le Lievre
& Le Douarin, 1975; Nakamura, 1982; Nakamura & Ayer-Le Lievre, 1982). In
various experimental systems and in some pathological conditions in situ skeletal
muscle has been described as developing from the thymus reticulum (Wekerle,
Paterson, Ketelsen & Feldman, 1975; Ketelsen & Wekerle, 1976), Schwann cells
(Wallace, 1972; Maden, 1977), pituitary cells (Brunner & Tschank, 1982), glial
cells (Lennon, Peterson & Schubert, 1979) and different parts of the central
nervous system (for a review see Inestrosa, 1982).
The thymus is perhaps the most intriguing example of unexpected tissue
potentialities and differentiation. It develops as an epithelial derivative of the third
pharyngeal endodermal pouches, which acquire a mesenchymal (or reticular)
Rat embryonic ectoderm as renal isograft
appearance after the invasion of lymphoid stem cells. In the human thymus
primordium during the 8th gestational week as well as in the adult human thymus,
myoid (myoepithelial) cells have been found, which displayed some morphological features of smooth muscle cells, but showed immunoreactivity with the
antisera prepared against striated-muscle-type myosin (Puchtler, Meloan, Brauch
& Gropp, 1975; Drenckhahn, Unsicker, Griesser, Schumacher & GroschelStewart, 1978; Gaudecker & Miiller-Hermelink, 1980).
One may conclude that, although skeletal muscle is a typical 'mesodermaP
tissue, all three definitive germ layers bear at least a latent myogenic potential. On
the other hand, myoblasts can differentiate into hyaline cartilage when grown on
an appropriate substratum (Nathanson & Hay, 1980).
In addition to cardiac muscle, brown adipose tissue seems to be the most typical
derivative of the mesoderm. This tissue was the only one to develop in renal grafts
of isolated rat embryonic mesoderm (Skreb, Svajger & Levak-Svajger, 1976).
The tail bud, which in all classes of vertebrates appears behind the posterior
neuropore, represents a mass of mesenchyme with an extraordinary origin and
fate. It forms from the remnants of the primitive streak and by the partial
dissociation and migration of neuroectodermal cells of the terminal neural tube. It
differentiates into caudal somites and their derivatives, and even back into the
neuroepithelium (the 'secondary neurulation' and, or, the 'secondary body formation', Holmdahl, 1935; Bijtel, 1936; Jolly & Ferester-Tadie, 1936; Peter, 1941,
1951; Tarn, 1981; Tarn, Meier & Jacobson, 1982; Nakao & Ishizawa, 1984;
Schoenwolf, 1984; Schoenwolf & Nichols, 1984). Very probably it also contributes
cells to the tail gut (Butcher, 1929; Svajger etal. 1985). Thus the tail portions of the
neural tube and of the gut develop by aggregation from the diffuse cell mass of the
tail bud and their development is strongly reminiscent of the morphogenesis and
differentiation of the embryonic ectoderm in renal grafts. It is evident that the
capacity of the ectoderm to produce cells with a 'mesodermal' fate (the formation
of mesenchymal tissues from the neural crest and the tail bud), extends beyond the
period of gastrulation. This problem will be further considered in the next section.
The data reviewed in this section confirm De Beer's (1947) view that one and the
same tissue type can originate from different definitive germ layers.
RESTRICTION OF DEVELOPMENTAL CAPACITIES OF THE EMBRYONIC ECTODERM
DURING GASTRULATION
In the rodent embryo the primitive embryonic ectoderm appears as a distinct
cell mass during the blastocyst stage. Its basal Surface is lined by the primitive
endoderm. During the time interval between the blastocyst stage and the onset
of gastrulation, both these primitive (primary) germ layers as a whole (the
two-layered embryonic shield) undergo remarkable changes in their geometry
(inversion of germ layers), which lead to the formation of the so-called eggcylinder (see Rossant & Papaioannou, 1977 for review). This unique shape of
pregastrulation (preprimitive streak) rat and mouse embryos creates severe
11
12
A. SVAJGER, B. LEVAK-SVAJGER AND N. SKREB
difficulties in both the microsurgical manipulation of the embryo and the
interpretation of the isolation and grafting experiments. The latter concerns
especially the construction of regionally well-defined fate maps.
We have experimentally approached the problem of diversification of cell
lineages during gastrulation by grafting the isolated rat embryo germ layers,
excised areas of them and particular germ layer combinations under the kidney
capsule of adult male syngeneic animals, and by recording the outcome of
differentiation and morphogenesis by the histological analysis of the resulting
teratomas. In the following text we will refer to the experimental series designated
I-XIV in Table 2.
The embryonic ectoderm as a whole
The primitive embryonic ectoderm of the preprimitive streak stage gives rise
to tissue derivatives of all three definitive germ layers: neural tissue, skin,
'mesodermal' tissues and derivatives of the primitive gut (series I, Levak-Svajger
& Svajger, 1971).
Embryonic ectoderm isolated together with the initial mesodermal wings at the
early primitive streak stage also differentiates into tissue derivatives of all three
definitive germ layers (series V, Levak-Svajger & Svajger, 1974).
At the head-fold stage the isolated embryonic ectoderm (regardless of the
presence or absence of the primitive streak) differentiates only into 'ectodermal'
and 'mesodermal' tissues (series IX, Levak-Svajger & Svajger, 1974).
At all these developmental stages the isolated embryonic endoderm shows no
capacity for differentiation as an isograft but becomes completely resorbed shortly
after transfer (series IV, VIII, XII, Levak-Svajger & Svajger, 1974).
When at the head-fold stage the definitive endoderm is isolated and grafted
together with the adjacent mesoderm, it differentiates into a variety of derivatives
of the primitive gut (series X, Levak-Svajger & Svajger, 1974).
At the same developmental stage the isolated embryonic mesoderm differentiates only into the brown adipose tissue (Skreb et al. 1976). However, in
combination with the definitive endoderm, it develops into a variety of typical
'mesodermal' tissues (adipose tissue, cartilage, bone, muscle, series X, LevakSvajger & Svajger, 1974).
These results, confirmed by similar findings in testicular grafts of the mouse
primitive ectoderm and endoderm (Diwan & Stevens, 1976) indicate that prior to
gastrulation the progenitor cells of all the tissues of the foetal body are located
within the primitive embryonic ectoderm. During gastrulation first the endodermal and then the mesodermal cells leave the primitive ectoderm and become
displaced to the topographic positions of the respective definitive germ layers.
What remains in the topographic position of the primitive ectoderm, becomes the
definitive ectoderm of the three-layered embryonic shield (the late primitive
streak or the late gastrula stage) which subsequently (at the head-fold stage)
undergoes neurulation (see Rossant & Papaioannou, 1977; Beddington, 1983b).
From this stage on these three cell sheets have been considered as the definitive
See New (1966).
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
XIV.
7-5
Head fold
(late gastrula, early
neurula)
13
Ectoderm (with or without the primitive streak region)
Endoderm + mesoderm
Mesoderm
Endoderm
Ant. post, and distal parts of the egg-cylinder
Axial and lateral strips of the ectoderm
V. Whole prim, ectoderm + mesodermal wings
VI. Transversal halves of the prim, ectoderm + mesodermal
wings
VII. Longitudinal halves of the prim. ectoderm + mesodermal
wings
VIII. Prim, endoderm
6-5
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Experimental series
(Type of graft)
Whole prim, ectoderm
Transversal halves of the prim, ectoderm
Longitudinal halves of the prim, ectoderm
Prim, endoderm
Early primitive streak
(early gastrula)
Stage
designation
Preprimitive streak
(pregastrula)
Corresponding
age of the
mouse embryo
(days)
6
12
Stage
(Witschi)*
11
Rat embryo
age
(days)
Table 2. Types of renal isografts reviewed in this paper
I
14
A. SVAJGER, B. LEVAK-SVAJGER AND N. SKREB
germ layers in the classical topographic, histogenetic and organogenetic sense
(Oppenheimer, 1940).
The essential conclusion that all the foetal primordia are descended from the
primitive embryonic ectoderm was anticipated in the pioneering experiments of
Grobstein (1952) who showed that the early mouse embryonic ectoderm retained
its capacity to differentiate into the gut epithelium even as an intraocular graft
after 5-7 days of preculturing in vitro. This is also consistent with (1) the
morphological observations of the continuity of the Hensen's-node-derived cells
with the epithelium of the definitive gut (Jolly & Ferester-Tadie, 1936; Jurand,
1974; Poelmann, 1981a,b), and (2) the results obtained by injecting single 5th day
mouse primitive ectoderm cells into the 4th day blastocyst. The progeny of the
injected cells contributed to tissues and organs throughout the foetus, regardless
of their germ layer origin (Gardner & Rossant, 1976, 1979). The rodent embryo
shares this basic principle of definitive germ layer formation during gastrulation
with the avian embryo, in which it was studied by similar or more direct methods
(Nicolet, 1971; Veini & Hara, 1975; Fontaine & Le Douarin, 1977). The analogy
of the general developmental principles in these two classes of vertebrates is
further suggested by the experimental findings that the embryonic ectoderm of the
rabbit is competent to respond to the primary organizer of the chick embryo
(Waddington, 1936), and that a secondary neural groove can be induced in the rat
embryonic ectoderm by implanted medullary plate material (Toro, 1938; see
Waddington, 1957 for a review).
The gradual restriction of developmental capacities of the initially pluripotent
primitive embryonic ectoderm and the gradual 'release' of some of these capacities
to the newly formed endoderm and mesoderm conform with the claim that "it is
only legitimate to speak of the separate germ layers when their segregation from
one another is complete" (De Beer, 1958). The segregation of definitive germ
layers coincides with the end of gastrulation. However, during the subsequent
neurulation, and even later, the cells of the neural crest and of the tail bud
originate from the neural ectoderm and differentiate into typical 'mesodermal' and
'endodermal' tissues (see the section entitled Germ Layer Origin of Tissues).
Moreover the 'mesectoderm' or 'ectomesenchyme' of the tail bud gives rise to the
caudal portion of the neural tube, of the neural crest and of the tail gut
(Schoenwolf, 1984; Schoenwolf & Nichols, 1974; Svajger et al 1985). This
corroborates the already old view of the dual origin of the vertebrate body: the
primary or indirect development of anterior structures of the body during which
the formation of three germ layers precedes the development of the embryonic
organ rudiments, and the secondary or direct development of the posterior
structures of the body without the intervening formation of germ layers
(Holmdahl, 1935; Peter, 1941,1951).
We may conclude that the embryonic ectoderm never exists as a discrete,
definitive germ layer in the classical sense of the word (i.e. as the germ layer with
capacities restricted to the formation of the neural tissue and the epidermis). In
other words, the three-layered embryonic shield directly transforms only into the
Rat embryonic ectoderm as renal isograft
anterior portion of the foetal body. These conclusions are in strict contradiction
with the rationale of the classical germ layer theory.
Recently, Lovell-Badge, Evans & Bellairs (1985) investigated the protein
synthetic patterns of tissues in the chick embryos from gastrulation and early postgastrulation stages. This study revealed polypeptides which may be considered as
markers for endodermal and mesodermal cell types, but no polypeptides unique
for the ectoderm were found. The lack of biosynthetic specialization is in apparent
agreement with the capacity of the (neuro)ectoderm to originate various types of
tissues even at postgastrulation stages.
Regionalization of the ectoderm and the fate map problem
At both the preprimitive streak and the early primitive streak stages the halves
of longitudinally or transversely cut egg-cylinders or isolated primitive ectoderms
give rise to tissue derivatives of all three definitive germ layers and there is no
indication of a regionally restricted tissue- or organ-forming capacity of the
primitive ectoderm (series II, III, VI, VII, Svajger etal. 1981).
At the head-fold stage the ectoderm displays some regionally specific developmental capacities: ectodermal structures of the head (choroid plexus, teeth,
vibrissae) develop only from the anterior part of the egg-cylinder (series XIII,
Levak-Svajger & Svajger, 1974).
At the head-fold stage the axial and the lateral strips of the ectoderm do not
differ in their capacities to differentiate into both neural tissue and epidermis and
its derivatives (series XIV, Svajger & Levak-Svajger, 1976).
Attempts to construct on the embryonic ectoderm a map of regions with
restricted developmental fates and, or, potencies are relevant to one of the major
problems in developmental biology: the mosaic- versus regulative-development
dilemma. Recently this has been subject to various experimental approaches in the
early postimplantation mouse embryo.
Beddington (1981) introduced the technique of injecting clumps of about 20
[3H]thymidine-labelled embryonic ectoderm cells into the embryonic ectoderm of
unlabelled synchronous mouse embryos. The labelled cells were detected in
radioautographs of histological sections of host embryos after a 36 h period of
cultivation in vitro. Using this method Beddington (1982) carried out a detailed
analysis of the developmental fate of embryonic ectoderm cells of the 8th day
mouse embryo (late primitive streak). She isolated the donor cells from the
anterior, distal and posterior areas of the egg-cylinder and injected them
orthotopically and heterotopically into these areas of synchronous hosts. The
distribution of injected cells was recorded when the host embryos had attained
in vitro the early somite stage. In orthotopic injections the results were as follows:
(a) the anterior ectoderm gave rise to predominantly neuroectoderm and surface
ectoderm; (b) the distal ectoderm (the area of the Hensen's node) generated
definitive gut endoderm, notochord and embryonic mesoderm; (c) the posterior
ectoderm (the primitive streak) contributed to the embryonic and extraembryonic
mesoderm. In the heterotopic series of injections the distal and posterior
15
16
A. SVAJGER, B. LEVAK-SVAJGER AND N. SKREB
embryonic ectoderm conformed to the colonization patterns characteristic of
their new location and their potency always exceeded their developmental fate
in situ. The anterior embryonic ectoderm preferentially differentiated into typical
ectodermal structures. In all three regions the ectoderm showed the capacity to
form 'mesodermal' derivatives. This pluripotency of ectodermal cells conforms
to the evidence from other experimental systems, that "the isolated part tends to
form a greater variety of structures than when left in place in the embryo"
(Harrison, 1933). These results speak against the existence of a rigid mosaicism in
embryonic ectoderm, which would be resistant to regulative influences from
surrounding cells. So do our results with the grafting of isolated parts of preprimitive streak and early primitive streak rat embryonic ectoderm (Svajger
et al. 1981). It ought to be stressed, however, that the egg-cylinders were transected by randomly oriented cuts only into longitudinal or transverse halves. Even
a more elaborate design of isolation of small areas could hardly overcome the
difficulties caused by the complex topology of the inverted rodent embryonic
shield.
Notwithstanding the above mentioned problems, Snow (1981) isolated circumscribed areas of the whole mouse egg-cylinder (all three germ layers) at the early-,
mid- and late-primitive-streak stages, and recorded their development as well as
the development of the rest of the mutilated cylinder after a 24 h period of
cultivation in vitro. He could demonstrate an autonomous development of isolated
pieces and an absence of regeneration or regulation in the rest of the embryonic
shield. He interpreted these results as suggesting a mosaic or polyclonal type of
development of the early mouse embryo. It is however dubious whether in the
topologically enigmatic geometry of the early egg-cylinder one would be able to
strictly delineate areas with mutually exclusive and particular developmental fates
within any of the constituent germ layers. These operations might also disturb the
changes in the relative positions of ectoderm and mesoderm brought about by the
differential growth pattern of the embryonic ectoderm (Poelmann, 1980a, b,
1981a,fr;Tarn & Meier, 1982). The current knowledge on the nature and specificity
of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in development does not yield sufficient
information for a convincing interpretation of this experimental system (Lawson,
1974; Yasugi & Mizuno, 1978; Ishizu^a-Oka & Mizuno, 1984). As pointed out by
Beddington (1982), the fact that the fragments isolated by Snow were composed of
all three germ layers, does not allow us to draw any conclusions concerning the
mosaic nature of the embryonic ectoderm alone.
Although Beddington's (1981, 1982) results with embryonic chimaeras are in
general agreement with the results of our grafting experiments (Levak-Svajger
& Svajger, 1974; Svajger et al. 1981), some differences in the design of the
experiments must not be neglected. The grafting of isolated germ layers, whole
egg-cylinders or their dissected parts differs from the injection of small groups of
cells with regard to the mass and coherence of the ensemble of transferred cells. In
the in vitro experiments the results are recorded after 24-36 h, when the cells in
question have neither yet reached their final positions nor displayed all their
Rat embryonic ectoderm as renal isograft
developmental potencies. On the other hand, in grafting experiments a final level
of differentiation is attained, but the cell allocation pattern cannot be studied
because of the disorganized growth and morphogenesis within the graft.
More recently Beddington (1983a) isolated anterior and posterior slices of both
the whole 8th day mouse egg-cylinder and the isolated ectoderm. There were no
significant differences between the histogenetic potentials of these fragments in
testicular grafts. Both of them generated endodermal structures (epithelium of the
primitive gut). This result, as well as the differentiation of the gut epithelium from
the orthotopically injected distal ectodermal cells (Beddington, 1981,1982), could
most probably be explained by the relatively early developmental stage of the
embryonic shield at the time of manipulation (late primitive streak). At this stage
(before the head-fold formation) the embryonic ectoderm has probably not yet
exhausted all its prospective endodermal and mesodermal cells, and in the area of
Hensen's node the cells have still retained the tendency to invaginate into the
external endoderm layer. At the subsequent head-fold stage gastrulation is
completed and the embryonic ectoderm no longer contains prospective endodermal cells (Levak-Svajger & Svajger, 1974). In combination with the mesoderm
both the ectoderm and the endoderm display some regionally specific developmental capacities (Svajger & Levak-Svajger, 1974). Whether or not at this stage
the ectoderm alone is still capable of forming true mesoderm in renal grafts is
uncertain and probably represents a mere semantic question of limited explanatory value in the light of data concerning the developmental capacities of the
neural crest and the tail bud (see previous sections).
One might assume that with regard to the overall developmental capacity of the
ectoderm and to its regionally restricted potential Beddington's (1981, 1982,
1983a) experiments in the mouse concern the short developmental interval
between the early-primitive-streak stage and the head-fold stage which we
investigated in the rat embryo (Levak-Svajger & Svajger, 1974; Svajger &
Levak-Svajger, 1974). At the same developmental stage in the mouse embryo,
the anterior ectodermal cells injected with horseradish peroxidase contribute
primarily to the brain (Lawson, Meneses & Pedersen, 1983).
Tarn (1984) transplanted the posterior portion of the primitive-streak-stage (7-5
days) mouse egg-cylinder beneath the kidney capsule. He obtained teratomas
composed of tissue derivatives of all three germ layers, but only the presence of
hindgut and mesodermal urogenital structures suggested regionally specific
differentiation.
The topology and the chronology of cell commitment within the definitive rat
embryonic ectoderm is now being subject to analysis in our laboratory. The fact
that both the axial and the lateral strips of the head-fold stage ectoderm bear the
capacity for neuroectodermal and epidermal differentiation (Svajger & LevakSvajger, 1976) has to be interpreted with respect to the recent evidence of a strict
demarcation of these two ectodermal cell lineages with regard to their cell surface
glycoconjugates (Currie, Maylie-Pfenninger & Pfenninger, 1984; Thiery et al.
1984).
17
18
A. SVAJGER, B. LEVAK-SVAJGER AND N. SKREB
To sum up, the results of our and Beddington's experiments apparently confirm
or, at least, do not contradict the classical experimental evidence that in several
classes of the chordate phylum the isolated parts of the early pregastrulation or
primitive ectoderm (the blastula ectoderm) are able to regulate to a considerable
extent. A restriction of the developmental potential appears during gastrulation
and becomes more pronounced (regionalization) at subsequent stages (see
Waddington, 1957 and Snow, 1981 for discussion). A fate map comparable to that
constructed for the amphibian embryo would only have an explanatory value if it
were possible to sharply delineate embryonic cell populations with distinct developmental fates while they are still resident within the same, initial germ layer
(the primitive ectoderm). When gastrulation starts the displacement of cell groups
brings about new spatial relationships, interactive events and cell commitment
occur and are followed by increasing regional restrictions of developmental
potencies. A fate or allocation map constructed at the gastrula (primitive streak)
stage, as in Snow's (1981) experiment, can therefore give little or no information in
favour or against the mosaic or clonal nature of the early postimplantation
development of the rodent embryo.
That even a precisely constructed fate map of prospective (presumptive) areas
on the pregastrulation (primitive) ectoderm can fail to reflect the true developmental repertoire of circumscribed groups of embryonic cells, can best be
revealed by a careful analysis of data obtained by mapping the amphibian
blastoderm. These data represent the basic common knowledge in all textbooks of
embryology for more than half a century. The classical schema of the developmental mosaic of the amphibian blastula and early gastrula was constructed
on the basis of Vogt's (1929) vital surface staining and the isolation experiments of
Holtfreter (1938). The general conclusion has been that all the future organ
rudiments and tissue derivatives of definitive germ layers are represented by
circumscribed cell groups on the surface of the late blastula and early gastrula
wall. According to Holtfreter, some of these primordia have the capacity for
autonomous development (autodifferentiation) when isolated and explanted
in vitro. However, more recent studies on amphibian gastrulation have revealed
a number of details which do not conform to the classical view, (a) The epithelial wall of the blastula and early gastrula is a heterogeneous cell population
distributed in superficial and deep positions; (b) these cell groups are subject to
independent shifting and displacement during gastrulation (Keller, 1980; L0vtrup,
1983); (c) the cells in different layers of the blastula wall differ in several
properties, including prospective significance, inasmuch as "the differences in the
properties of cells from the primitive ectoderm inner cell layer in various presumptive regions are less than between the cells of the outer and inner layers in the
same presumptive region" (Dettlaff, 1983); (d) when small groups of 15-20 cells
from the late blastula wall are isolated and explanted in vitro, only the superficial
cells form small epidermal vesicles while the deep cells do not differentiate at all
(L0vtrup, 1974,1975,1983; Landstrom & L0vtrup, 1979).
Rat embryonic ectoderm as renal isograft
19
It may be concluded from these experimental results that by isolating the
'ectodermal' cells of the amphibian blastula and early gastrula the authors have
actually isolated cells belonging to at least two definitive germ layers (Nieuwkoop,
1973; L0vtrup, 1975). Only the ectoderm, the notochord and the endoderm appear
in the form of presumptive areas on the surface of the blastula. The prospective
mesodermal cells are never present on the surface of the pregastrulation embryo.
The 'autodifferentiation' of prospective mesodermal cells from the surface
material occurs as a consequence of interaction of embryonic cells with different
prospective germ layer fates. It is therefore interesting to notice that in a most
recent publication the early amphibian embryonic cells were defined on the basis
of their position in different regions of the gastrula rather than of their germ layer
origin (Cleine & Slack, 1985).
Coming back to the problem of terminology, it seems that the German, French
and Italian terms for germ layers (Kleimblatter, feuillets embryonnaires, fogliati
germinativi = germ leaves) are more appropriate than the English term germ
layers, because they denote stretched or extended cell populations without
prejudging their monolayer nature.
It has been believed that the amphibian embryo differs from the mammalian
one by the early determination of bilateral symmetry (grey crescent), the early
commitment of its cells to different developmental pathways if isolated at the
blastula stage (Nieuwkoop, 1973) and by the corresponding early susceptibility to
exogeneous teratogenic influences (Rugh, 1954). However, it was recently claimed
that the vegetal blastomeres of X. laevis embryos implanted to another blastula did
not become determined before the beginning of gastrulation. At the midblastula
stage they contribute progeny to all three definitive germ layers (Heasman, Wylie,
Hausen & Smith, 1984). Contrary to previous data from isolation experiments
these results suggest that also in the amphibian embryo, at least in some of its
regions, the restriction of the developmental potential of the primitive ectoderm
may start not earlier than at the early gastrula stage.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
The experimental results with ectopic grafts reviewed here apparently reconfirm
the view on the common origin of all cells of the foetal body from the primitive
embryonic ectoderm, and a gradual topographical and developmental diversification of cell lineages during gastrulation. However, the methodology of histological analysis of experimental teratomas imposes a number of difficulties and
limitations in the interpretation of findings in dynamic developmental terms.
Besides the fact that the final tissue composition of tumours is largely dependent
on the "survival of fittest cells in conditions that are never quite ideal"
(Waymouth, 1974), the peculiar morphogenetic behaviour of the primitive ectoderm as a renal graft is quite different from the ordered cell displacement in the
living early embryo. Some other problems were stressed before in the classical
study of Grobstein (1952): "It seems important to keep in mind that from the (...)
20
A. SVAJGER, B. LEVAK-SVAJGER AND N. SKREB
differentiative behaviour of such plastic systems it is exceedingly difficult to draw
conclusions about the state of determination of their component cells at the time of
isolation. In any situation where opportunity is offered for reorganization particularly the case in transplant, explant and defect experiments - regulation
may lead to an increase of cell types or simplification of organization to a decrease
of cell types, relative to the prospective significance of the area in question. What
is in fact tested in such experiments is the state of determination of the system, not
of the component cells."
The non-specificity of the classical germ layers as to their tissue-forming capacity
loads the interpretation with additional problems and demands for a more flexible
thinking about cell lineages in early development. The dual origin of most of
the 'mesodermal' tissues is perhaps the best example. The mesenchyme with the
potency to form supportive tissues and muscle originates from three sources: the
primitive streak, the neural crest and the caudal neuroectoderm (the tail bud).
"There is, however, no essential differences between them, because they originate
directly or indirectly from the same ectoderm, and the classical distinction seems
to be reducible to the mere difference in stage of mesodermal formation"
(Nieuwkoop, 1973). Once again it becomes clear that the germ-layer theory is a
morphological concept, and has nothing to do with developmental potencies of
embryonic tissues (De Beer, 1947). It is noteworthy that long ago Kolliker (1879,
quoted in Oppenheimer, 1940) claimed that "all three germ layers possess the
potency and the capacity also for transformation into all tissues, but because of
their specific morphological configurations they cannot everywhere manifest this
power".
We may summarize that from the histological analysis of teratomas one cannot draw conclusions on the germ layer origin of tissues but only about the
developmental potency of topographically and chronologically defined, isolated
regions of the embryo. This seems to restrict the usefulness of the method of ectopic
transfer of early mammalian embryonic tissues. However, various experimental
approaches on mammalian and avian embryos have given analogous or
complementary results which permit us to believe in the existence of common
principles of cell lineages in the living embryo and in experimental transplants.
We end with a list of some questions which have arisen from our grafting
experiments but cannot yet be answered.
(a) Do particular tissues develop in teratomas from the same precursor cells and
by interaction with the same associated cells as they would have in normal
development?
(b) How is the neural tissue induced in the absence of a morphologically defined
primary organizer? Can we suppose the formation in grafts of an atypical inductive
centre, which is able to induce the differentiation of neural tissue but not to
organize it morphogenetically?
(c) Do local cell-cell or cell-substrate interactions occur in teratomas, and, if
so, do they influence differentiation more than cell lineage, as demonstrated for
the mouse extraembryonic endoderm (Hogan & Tilly, 1981)?
Rat embryonic ectoderm as renal isograft
21
(d) Do the transdifferentiation-like phenomena (Yamada, 1977) play any role in
the histogenesis within teratomas?
(e) Is the epithelial-mesenchymal conversion of ectodermal grafts a solely
morphological phenomenon, or is it correlated with a reorganization of the
cellular activity, such as a switching in the expression of cytofilaments from
cytokeratins to vimentin (Franke etal. 1982)?
The problem in the broadest sense might perhaps best be revealed by
acknowledging the wisdom of one of the old masters of the discipline: "There
is always room for fallacy, even when the logical procedure may seem unimpeachable, and no conclusion in embryology is safe if based upon but a single
proof. This, to some, may all seem purely formal and of no practical consequence.
It is, nevertheless, important to realize that even the language of science is still
bound by tradition (...) and it is by no means free from anthropomorphism and
relicts of our demonology, which are difficult to escape and which may not only
lend a false sense of security to our explanations but also may suggest foolish
questions that never can be answered" (Harrison, 1933).
The original work was supported by grants of the Self-managing Community of Interest in
Science of S. R. Croatia (SIZ-V), through funds made available to the U.S.-Yugoslav Joint
Board on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (No. 02-094-N) and by Small Supplies
Program of the World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. The authors are grateful to
Dr R. L. Gardner and to Dr R. Beddington for their criticism and helpful suggestions during the
preparation of the manuscript.
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