Gene Expressions and Development: The Pattern of VEGF Expression in the Developing Avian Spinal Cord
Author(s):
F Shinku, VE Odey, MA Wazhi, PB Nyango, MB Mohammed, JS Kumbet, CN Edeh and RT McNeil
Introduction: The development of the spinal cord is a complex process. It involves the coordinated action of multiple genes and specific environmental factors. While there are some differences between avian and mammalian species, the general processes of spinal cord development are conserved. Both species exhibit some similarities in gene expression patterns, which play a crucial role in patterning the spinal cord along the anterior-posterior and dorso-ventral axes. Developmental genes in neural specification, neurogenesis, and axon guidance, such as Sox, Pax, and Netrin, are also conserved between avian and mammalian species. The aim of this work is to ascertain the pattern of VEGF expression in the developing spinal cord of the domestic fowl, Gallus gallus variant domesticus.
Methods: With ethics clearance fertile eggs at stages 19-29 were incubated, routinely processed and sections of 5µm thickness were immunolocalized for VEGF A using immunofluorescence staining technique. Primary Antibody (Santa Cruz, Polyclonal rabbit anti-VEGF antibodies,1:100), Secondary Antibody (Santa Cruz, Anti-phosphotyrosine (4G10)–Alexa Fluor® 568 Goat Anti-Rabbit IgG; (Molecular Probes), 1: 300) were used. Nuclear stain was done with DAPI (Boehringer Mannheim), 1:10000. Positive control was performed using pregnant mouse uterus. Sections were viewed on an Olympus IX71 inverted fluorescent microscope and images captured using Olympus analysis software.
Results: VEGF was expressed in different cell types, including neural progenitor cells and endothelial cells.
Discussion and Conclusion: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor plays a crucial role in the development of the spinal cord in vertebrates. Our work hereby presents a novel angle in the evaluation of VEGF expression in the spinal cord having been carried out at different stages of avian development. This is significant in that abnormal VEGF expression or function may contribute to developmental disorders of the spinal cord, such as neural tube defects (NTDs). Moreover, knowledge of VEGF expression pattern during spinal cord development may inform new therapeutic strategies for spinal cord injuries and diseases