Identification of elastic fibres in the peripheral nerve.

Traditional histological staining techniques, as well as elastin-specific antibodies and electron microscopy, have been used to assess the distribution of elastin within the peripheral nerve. The location of the elastin identified by the VerHoeff-VanGiesen or Weigert stains has been shown to coincide with the unambiguous identification of elastin by immunospecific stains and electron microscopy. Elastin is located in all three connective layers of the peripheral nerve.

Interdigital soft tissue separation induced by retinoic acid in mouse limbs cultured in vitro.

The temporal pattern of separation of the soft tissue between mouse digits was examined in an organ culture model system. Mouse limbs of different gestational age were cultured in vitro and the pattern of separation of the digits characterized. By gestational day 12.

Endogenous epidermal growth factor regulates limb development.

Mutations associated with genes of the EGF superfamily are implicated in limb malformations. To evaluate the potential role of EGF-mediated signal transduction in the control of early mammalian limb development, we developed a simple in vitro system which is permissive for morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation in serumless, chemically defined medium. Our experimental strategy was to ascertain if the EGF precursor gene was transcribed and translated into potentially bioactive growth factor.