| Objective: To detect the expression pattern of tenascin-C (TN-C) and tenascin-X (TN-X) in the embryonic heart of rats, approach their roles during the heart development.Method: sixty Spraque-Dawley female rats and twenty-four male rats, one female and one male were put in the same cage, when vaginal suppository was found, the female was pregnant 0.5day (ED0.5) , then executed the pregnant rats or new-born rats on ED11.5, ED12.5, ED13.5, ED15.5, ED17.5, ED19.5 and new-born lday, got out the hearts or the whole embryos. The expression level of TN-C and TN-X mRNA were examined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in embryonic heart tissue, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the distribution of TN-C and TN-X. Expression of TN-C protein were detected by western blot.Results: The expression of TN-C mRNA and protein was abundant in the early heart development, on ED11.5,ED12.5,ED13.5, and was significantly down regulated on ED15.5; Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that TN-C was expressed in outflow tract, pre-epicardial organ, atrioventricular cushion and pericardial cavity on ED11.5,ED12.5,ED13.5, and was negative on ED15.5,ED17.5,ED19.5,new-born 1 day; TN-X was expressed on every day detected, was more widespread to accompany the increasing fetal age, and was widespread on new-born 1 day.Conclusions: We found that TN-C was abundant in the early heart development of rats, it was suggested that TN-C reference to the early heart morphogenesis; TN-X was poorly expressed in epicardium in hearts of ED11.5, implied it may have something to do with the formation of the coronary artery. |
PDF Full Text Request