TGF-beta3-induced palatogenesis requires matrix metalloproteinases.

Cleft lip and palate syndromes are among the most common congenital malformations in humans. Mammalian palatogenesis is a complex process involving highly regulated interactions between epithelial and mesenchymal cells of the palate to permit correct positioning of the palatal shelves, the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and subsequent fusion of the palatal shelves. Here we show that several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), including a cell membrane-associated MMP (MT1-MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) were highly expressed by the medial edge epithelium (MEE). MMP-13 was expressed both in MEE and in adjacent mesenchyme, whereas gelatinase A (MMP-2) was expressed by mesenchymal cells neighboring the MEE. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta3-deficient mice, which suffer from clefting of the secondary palate, showed complete absence of TIMP-2 in the midline and expressed significantly lower levels of MMP-13 and slightly reduced levels of MMP-2. In concordance with these findings, MMP-13 expression was strongly induced by TGF-beta3 in palatal fibroblasts. Finally, palatal shelves from prefusion wild-type mouse embryos cultured in the presence of a synthetic inhibitor of MMPs or excess of TIMP-2 failed to fuse and MEE cells did not transdifferentiate, phenocopying the defect of the TGF-beta3-deficient mice. Our observations indicate for the first time that the proteolytic degradation of the ECM by MMPs is a necessary step for palatal fusion.

Magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of a novel metastatic orthotopic model of human neuroblastoma in immunodeficient mice.

Neuroblastoma is the second most common solid tumor in children. So far few tumor models for this cancer have been reported in mice. We have created a murine tumor model for studying human neuroblastoma based on surgical orthotopic implantation in scid mice. Small fragments of subcutaneous tumors of SK-N-BE(2) human neuroblastoma cells expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein were surgically implanted near the left adrenal gland of scid mice. One hundred percent of the animals (n = 21) successfully implanted developed a large retroperitoneal tumor and became moribund between 22 and 57 days after implantation (mean survival time = 41 days). At the time of sacrifice the presence of bone marrow metastasis was detected by RT-PCR for green fluorescent protein in 95% of the cases. The growth of small tumor implants could be easily visualized and quantified by surveillance MR imaging, with a resolution of 117 x 117 x 750 microm in two orthogonal planes allowing accurate volume measurements, as well as assessment of necrosis and tissue invasion. This novel model should be a valuable tool to study the biology and therapeutic approaches to neuroblastoma.