Development and gene expression of C57BL/6 mouse embryo palate shelves in rotary organ culture.

The aim of the present study was to improve methods for the suspension culture of mouse palatal shelves by comparing the expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-α in palatal shelves , to that . The palatal shelves of C57BL/6 mouse embryos were obtained on gestation days (GDs) 13.5, 14.5, 15.0 and 15.5 for experiments. The palatal shelves were removed and observed under a stereomicroscope to investigate palatal development. For experiments, the palatal shelves were dissected under a stereomicroscope on GD 13.5 and then subjected to rotary culture for 0, 24, 36 or 48 h. The expression of PDGFR-α at different time points was detected by immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis. Both methods of analysis displayed PDGFR-α expression in mesenchymal and epithelial cells at GD 13.5, 14.5, 15.0 and 15.5, and . The level of PDGFR-α expression peaked on GD 14.5. The expression of PDGFR-α in palatal shelves in rotary culture was consistent with that . Therefore, the novel technique of palatal rotary organ culture presented in the current study could provide a good model for studying the mechanism of pathological palatal fusion . Additionally, the present study further confirmed that PDGFR-α gene expression was associated with the development of palatal shelves.