Name: Creating Avian Forebrain Chimeras to Assess Facial Development (Video) | JoVE Journal
Uploaded: 2021-02-18T13:00:00.000+00:00
Duration: 4 min 10 s
Description: Learn tissue transplantation to assess basal forebrain signaling in craniofacial development using avian embryos. This method isolates neural tissue while preventing neural crest contamination for accurate analysis.

ai_agent_IP

ai_agent

maintenance

instantTrialDurationMinutes

isBiopharma

enableNewMyJoveSectionDesign

educationFeatures

seoMetaApi

ai_copilot_institution_blacklist

ai_chat_institution_blacklist

freeAccessWindow

ssoRoleCapture

scheduledMaintenanceBanner

joveLabsFeatures

disable_autoplay_for_bots

extended_trial_duration

5 minutes

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research of the National Institutes of Health under award numbers R01DE019648, R01DE018234, and R01DE019638.

White Pekin duck (Anas platyrhynchos), white Leghorn chicken (Gallus gallus) and Japanese quail (Cortunix coturnix japonica) are incubated at 37 &#176;C in a humidified chamber until stage-matched at HH7/817.
1. Preparing the donor tissue
NOTE: Preparation of reagents and tools and how to open eggs for experimental manipulation has been described6.
<ol>
	<li>Prepare DMEM media with neutral red, a glass transfer pipette, and sharpened tungsten needles.</li>
	<li>Expose embryos (as shown in6).</li>
	<li>Harvest tissue grafts from the left side of basal forebrain of stage 7/8 embryos. Use curved sharpened tungsten needles6 to gently incise a piece of the forebrain measuring ~0.3 mm in length by 0.2 mm in width, making sure to not include the underlying endoderm by sliding the needle beneath the forebrain so that the needle is parallel to the axis of the neural tube.</li>
	<li>Using the glass transfer pipette, pick the graft up from the donor embryo.</li>
	<li>Transfer the graft into DMEM containing Neutral Red (0.01% in PBS, 23 &#176;C) for 2 minutes to stain it, and then place the stained graft into DMEM that does not contain Neutral Red until ready for engraftment.</li>
</ol>
2. Preparing the host
<ol>
	<li>Incubate fertilized eggs from white Leghorn chicken (Gallus gallus) at 37 &#176;C in a humidified chamber until HH7/8 17.</li>
	<li>Expose embryos (as shown in6).</li>
	<li>Using sharpened tungsten needles, prepare the graft site by gently cutting, then removing a 0.3 mm by 0.2 mm piece of basal forebrain from the left side to accommodate the graft as was done to isolate the donor tissue.</li>
	<li>Take care to avoid excessive disruption of the underlying endoderm, which will be evident as yolk granules will begin to leak through any tear that is made. This takes practice and not all attempts will be successful.</li>
	<li>After transferring to the host6, position the graft to replace the extirpated basal forebrain of the host.</li>
	<li>Place tape tightly over the hole and return the embryo to the 37 &#176;C incubator for the appropriate length of time for analysis.</li>
</ol>

<ol><li>Waddington, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Developmental+Mechanics+of+Chicken+and+Duck+Embryos%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Nature%22%5BJournal%5D)">Developmental Mechanics of Chicken and Duck Embryos.</a> Nature. 125, 924-925 (1930).</li>
<li>Noden, D. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((The+role+of+the+neural+crest+in+patterning+of+avian+cranial+skeletal%2C+connective%2C+and+muscle+tissues%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Developmental+Biology%22%5BJournal%5D)">The role of the neural crest in patterning of avian cranial skeletal, connective, and muscle tissues.</a> Developmental Biology. 96 (1), 144-165 (1983).</li>
<li>Borue, X., Noden, D. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Normal+and+aberrant+craniofacial+myogenesis+by+grafted+trunk+somitic+and+segmental+plate+mesoderm%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Development%22%5BJournal%5D)">Normal and aberrant craniofacial myogenesis by grafted trunk somitic and segmental plate mesoderm.</a> Development. 131 (16), 3967-3980 (2004).</li>
<li>Teillet, M. A., Ziller, C., Le Douarin, N. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Quail-chick+chimeras%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Methods+in+Molecular+Biology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Quail-chick chimeras.</a> Methods in Molecular Biology. 461, 337-350 (2008).</li>
<li>Hu, D., Marcucio, R. S., Helms, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((A+zone+of+frontonasal+ectoderm+regulates+patterning+and+growth+in+the+face%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Development%22%5BJournal%5D)">A zone of frontonasal ectoderm regulates patterning and growth in the face.</a> Development. 130 (9), 1749-1758 (2003).</li>
<li>Hu, D., Marcucio, R. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Assessing+signaling+properties+of+ectodermal+epithelia+during+craniofacial+development%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Visualized+Experiments%22%5BJournal%5D)">Assessing signaling properties of ectodermal epithelia during craniofacial development.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (49), (2011).</li>
<li>Hu, D., Marcucio, R. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Unique+organization+of+the+frontonasal+ectodermal+zone+in+birds+and+mammals%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Developmental+Biology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Unique organization of the frontonasal ectodermal zone in birds and mammals.</a> Developmental Biology. 325 (1), 200-210 (2009).</li>
<li>Griffin, J. N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Fgf8+dosage+determines+midfacial+integration+and+polarity+within+the+nasal+and+optic+capsules%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Developmental+Biology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Fgf8 dosage determines midfacial integration and polarity within the nasal and optic capsules.</a> Developmental Biology. 374 (1), 185-197 (2013).</li>
<li>Schneider, R. A., Helms, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((The+cellular+and+molecular+origins+of+beak+morphology%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Science%22%5BJournal%5D)">The cellular and molecular origins of beak morphology.</a> Science. 299 (5606), 565-568 (2003).</li>
<li>Tucker, A. S., Lumsden, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Neural+crest+cells+provide+species-specific+patterning+information+in+the+developing+branchial+skeleton%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Evolution+%26+Development%22%5BJournal%5D)">Neural crest cells provide species-specific patterning information in the developing branchial skeleton.</a> Evolution & Development. 6 (1), 32-40 (2004).</li>
<li>Fish, J. L., Schneider, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Assessing+species-specific+contributions+to+craniofacial+development+using+quail-duck+chimeras%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Visualized+Experiments%22%5BJournal%5D)">Assessing species-specific contributions to craniofacial development using quail-duck chimeras.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (87), (2014).</li>
<li>Schneider, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Neural+crest+and+the+origin+of+species-specific+pattern%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Genesis%22%5BJournal%5D)">Neural crest and the origin of species-specific pattern.</a> Genesis. 56 (6-7), 23219(2018).</li>
<li>Sohal, G. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Effects+of+reciprocal+forebrain+transplantation+on+motility+and+hatching+in+chick+and+duck+embryos%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Brain+Research%22%5BJournal%5D)">Effects of reciprocal forebrain transplantation on motility and hatching in chick and duck embryos.</a> Brain Research. 113 (1), 35-43 (1976).</li>
<li>Chen, C. C., Balaban, E., Jarvis, E. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Interspecies+avian+brain+chimeras+reveal+that+large+brain+size+differences+are+influenced+by+cell-interdependent+processes%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22PLoS+One%22%5BJournal%5D)">Interspecies avian brain chimeras reveal that large brain size differences are influenced by cell-interdependent processes.</a> PLoS One. 7 (7), 42477(2012).</li>
<li>Hu, D., Marcucio, R. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Neural+crest+cells+pattern+the+surface+cephalic+ectoderm+during+FEZ+formation%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Developmental+Dynamics%22%5BJournal%5D)">Neural crest cells pattern the surface cephalic ectoderm during FEZ formation.</a> Developmental Dynamics. 241 (4), 732-740 (2012).</li>
<li>Hu, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Signals+from+the+brain+induce+variation+in+avian+facial+shape%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Developmental+Dynamics%22%5BJournal%5D)">Signals from the brain induce variation in avian facial shape.</a> Developmental Dynamics. 244 (9), 1133-1143 (2015).</li>
<li>Hamburger, V., Hamilton, H. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((A+series+of+normal+stages+in+the+development+of+the+chick+embryo%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Morphology%22%5BJournal%5D)">A series of normal stages in the development of the chick embryo.</a> Journal of Morphology. 88 (1), 49-92 (1951).</li>
<li>Xu, Q., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Correlations+Between+the+Morphology+of+Sonic+Hedgehog+Expression+Domains+and+Embryonic+Craniofacial+Shape%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Evolutionary+Biology%22%5BJournal%5D)">Correlations Between the Morphology of Sonic Hedgehog Expression Domains and Embryonic Craniofacial Shape.</a> Evolutionary Biology. 42 (3), 379-386 (2015).</li>
<li>Eames, B. F., Schneider, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((The+genesis+of+cartilage+size+and+shape+during+development+and+evolution%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Development%22%5BJournal%5D)">The genesis of cartilage size and shape during development and evolution.</a> Development. 135 (23), 3947-3958 (2008).</li>
<li>Merrill, A. E., Eames, B. F., Weston, S. J., Heath, T., Schneider, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Mesenchyme-dependent+BMP+signaling+directs+the+timing+of+mandibular+osteogenesis%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Development%22%5BJournal%5D)">Mesenchyme-dependent BMP signaling directs the timing of mandibular osteogenesis.</a> Development. 135 (7), 1223-1234 (2008).</li>
</ol>

All authors have nothing to disclose.

The method described allows examination of the tissue interactions between the basal forebrain and the adjacent ectoderm. This approach differs from previous forebrain transplant methods, because the donor tissue was restricted to the ventral forebrain. This eliminates transplantation of the neural crest cells, which have been shown to participate in patterning facial morphology9,10. Hence, restricting the graft to the basal forebrain was essential to evaluate th...

Much contemporary research in developmental biology focuses on the role of genes in shaping embryos. There are good tools to examine developmental mechanisms from a genetic perspective. However, embryos are assembled and undergo morphogenesis in response to tissue interactions. The avian system is a classic tool used to assess the variety of tissue interactions that regulate development for the following reasons: the embryology is well-understood, the embryos are easily accessible, tools for analysis of avian systems are well-developed, and the embryos are inexpensive.
The avian transplantation system has been widely employed for lineage tracing and to assess tissue interactions during development for almost a century1,2,3,4. This system was used to investigate a signaling center, the Frontonasal Ectodermal Zone (FEZ), that regulates morphogenesis of the upper jaw5, and a video was published describing that technique previously6. In addition to quail-chick, other species have also been used to produce chimeras for analysis of tissue interactions. For example, the mouse FEZ was transplanted from wild type7 and mutant mice8, and others have used a duck, quail and chick systems to assess the role of neural crest in patterning the facial skeleton9,10,11,12.
In this work, the role of the forebrain in regulating the pattern of gene expression in the FEZ by transplanting the ventral forebrain reciprocally among quail, duck, and chick embryos was assessed, because a signal from the forebrain is required to induce Sonic hedgehog expression in the FEZ. Forebrain transplants are not unique in the field. These transplants were used to assess development of motility in quail and duck embryos13, although in these experiments tissues that contributed to non-neural derivatives were also transplanted. In other work, auditory circuits in birds have been assessed by forebrain transplantation14, but these transplants contained presumptive neural crest cells, which contribute to facial shape9,10 and participate in regulating SHH expression in the FEZ15. Hence, a system to transplant just the ventral forebrain from one species of bird to another prior to closure of the neural tube was devised to assess the role of the brain in facial shape16 (Figure 1A,B). This method was devoid of neural crest contamination of the graft. In this article, the method is illustrated and the expected results are described, and the challenges faced are discussed.

<table><tbody><tr><td>1x PBS</td><td>TEK</td><td>TEKZR114</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>35x10 mm Petri dish</td><td>Falcon</td><td>1008</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>DMEM</td><td>Thermofisher</td><td>11965084</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Needle holder</td><td>Fine Science Tools</td><td>26016-12</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Neutral Red</td><td>Sigma</td><td>553-24-2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>No. 5 Dumont forceps</td><td>Fine Science Tools</td><td>11252-20</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pasteur Pipets</td><td>Thermofisher</td><td>13-678-6B</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>QCPN antibody</td><td>Developmental Studies Hybridoma bank, Iowa University, Iowa, USA</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Scissors</td><td>Fine Science Tools</td><td>14058-11</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tungsten Needle</td><td>Fine Science Tools</td><td>26000</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

creating avian forebrain chimeras to assess facial development

Creating Avian Forebrain Chimeras to Assess Facial Development

The avian embryo has been used as a model system for more than a century and has led to fundamental understanding of vertebrate development. One of the strengths of this model system is that the effect of, and interaction among, tissues can be directly assessed in chimeric embryos. We have previously shown that signals from the forebrain contribute to facial morphogenesis by regulating the shape of the expression domain of Sonic hedgehog (SHH) in the Frontonasal Ectodermal Zone (FEZ). In this article, the method of generating the forebrain chimeras and provide illustrations of the outcomes of these experiments is described.

Assessment of Chimerism and Transplant Contamination 
In order to assess the chimeras, the extent of chimerism and contamination of the graft with other cell types should be addressed. Creating chimeras by transplanting quail tissues into chick embryos allows for this type of analysis. Using the QCPN antibody quail cells can be visualized and distinguished from the host tissues (Figure 1 C,D). In this case, only tissues derived from the ventral forebrain ...

This article describes a tissue transplantation technique that was designed to test the signaling and patterning properties of basal forebrain&#160;during craniofacial development.

The avian embryo has been used as a model system for more than a century and has led to fundamental understanding of vertebrate development. One of the ...

creating-avian-forebrain-chimeras-to-assess-facial-development

Research

JoVE Journal

Developmental Biology

This article describes a tissue transplantation technique that was designed to test the signaling and patterning properties of surface cephalic ectoderm during craniofacial development.

Assessing Signaling Properties of Ectodermal Epithelia During Craniofacial Development

An approach for analyzing migration and eventual fate of avian neural crest cells in quail-chick chimeric embryos is described. This method is a simple and straightforward technique for tracing neural crest cells during migration and differentiation that are otherwise difficult to distinguish within an unmanipulated chick embryo.

Analysis of Neural Crest Migration and Differentiation by Cross-species Transplantation

A protocol for separation of embryo facial ectoderm and mesenchyme is described. We use Dispase II to treat whole embryos first, dissect whole facial prominences out, and then separate the facial ectoderm and mesenchyme.

Separation of Mouse Embryonic Facial Ectoderm and Mesenchyme

A technique for transplanting "Extreme Anterior Domain" facial tissue between Xenopus laevis embryos has been developed. Tissue can be moved from one gene expression background into another, allowing the study of local requirements for craniofacial development and for signaling interactions between facial regions.

Facial Transplants in Xenopus laevis Embryos

Time-lapse confocal imaging is a powerful technique useful for characterizing embryonic development. Here, we describe the methodology and characterize craniofacial morphogenesis in wild-type, as well as pdgfra, smad5, and smo mutant embryos.

Analyzing Craniofacial Morphogenesis in Zebrafish Using 4D Confocal Microscopy

This article describes a method to generate chimeric embryos that are designed to test the species-specific contributions of neural crest and/or other tissues to craniofacial development.<br...

Assessing Species-specific Contributions To Craniofacial Development Using Quail-duck Chimeras

Here we report dual labeling of neural crest cells and blood vessels using chickGFP neural tube intraspecies grafting combined with intra-vascular DiI injection. This experimental technique allows us to simultaneously visualize and study development of the NCC-derived (enteric) nervous system and the vascular system, during organogenesis.

Dual Labeling of Neural Crest Cells and Blood Vessels Within Chicken Embryos Using ChickGFP Neural Tube Grafting and Carbocyanine Dye DiI Injection

Cell organization of craniofacial bones has long been hypothesized but never directly visualized. Multi-spectral cell labeling and in vivo live imaging allows visualization of dynamic cell behavior in zebrafish lower jaw. Here, we detail the protocol to manipulate Zebrabow transgenic fish and directly observe cell intercalation and morphological changes of chondrocytes in the Meckel’s cartilage.

Visualization of Chondrocyte Intercalation and Directional Proliferation via Zebrabow Clonal Cell Analysis in the Embryonic Meckel&#8217;s Cartilage

This article provides a method to isolate pure embryonic tissues from quail and chicken embryos that can be combined to form ex vivo chimeric organs.

Isolation of Embryonic Tissues and Formation of Quail-Chicken Chimeric Organs Using The Thymus Example

Here we describe protocols for three types of avian embryonic skin explant cultures that can be used to examine tissue interactions, 4D imaging timelapse movie (3D plus time), global or local perturbation of molecular function, and systems biology characterization.

Using Avian Skin Explants to Study Tissue Patterning and Organogenesis

Learn tissue transplantation to assess basal forebrain signaling in craniofacial development using avian embryos. This method isolates neural tissue while preventing neural crest contamination for accurate analysis.

Creating Avian Forebrain Chimeras to Assess Facial Development

Explore More Videos