[In vitro study on cranial neural crest differentiating into ectomesenchymal cell of the first branchial arch by FGF-8].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of FGF-8 on cranial neural crest cell (CNCC) differentiating into ectomesenchymal cell of the first branchial arch, and determine the appropriate dose and stage of CNCC exposure to FGF-8.

METHODS

Cranial neural crest explants were cultured in free-serum medium containing modified DMEM/F12 and different doses of FGF-8. The differentiation type of CNCC were determined by in situ hybridization for Hoxa2 and immunocytochemistry for vimentin.

RESULTS

Pre-emigrating CNCC demonstrated the negative Hoxa2 stain and positive vimentin stain after treated by 100 ug/FGF-8. Both post-emigrating CNCC group and control group were positive for Hoxa2 and vimentin stain.

CONCLUSIONS

On the early stage of CNCC emigration, the first branchial arch phenotype of CNCC could be induced by FGF-8. This experiment could provide in vitro model for study on the mechanism of tooth-jaw regeneration.