Syndactyly and preaxial synpolydactyly in the single Sfrp2 deleted mutant mice

Dev Dyn. 2008 Sep;237(9):2506-17. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.21655.

Abstract

Secreted Frizzled-related protein 2 (Sfrp2) or Stromal Cell Derived Factor-5 (SDF-5) is highly expressed in the developing limbs. Here we showed the single Sfrp2 inactivation in mice resulted in syndactyly and preaxial synpolydactyly, predominantly in the hindlimbs. Tails were often kinked. A penetrance of the syndactyly was highest in 129/SvJ or CBA/N x 129/SvJ background and the phenotype was haploinsufficient. Preaxial synpolydactyly was seen in homozygous mutants in C57BL/6 x 129/SvJ. Of note, syndactyly showed retarded apoptosis of the second and the third interdigital spaces; concomitantly, mesodermal Msx2 expression was down-regulated. Impaired digital anlagen maturation was also noticeable in the same position. Preaxial synpolydactyly of the Sfrp2 mutants was a non-mirror image type and Shh independent. Although joint formation was not disrupted, chondrocyte maturation was preaxially disturbed. Our results suggest that the Sfrp2 deleted mice can be a useful animal model to study human syndactyly/preaxial synpolydactyly defects.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Chondrogenesis / genetics
  • Chondrogenesis / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Limb Deformities, Congenital / genetics
  • Limb Deformities, Congenital / pathology
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Polydactyly / genetics*
  • Polydactyly / pathology
  • Syndactyly / genetics*
  • Syndactyly / pathology

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins
  • Sfrp2 protein, mouse