Int. J. Dev. Biol. 45: S91 - S92 (2001)

Vol 45, Issue S1

A temporo-spatial programmed ependymal denudation leads to hydrocephalus in the hyh mutant mouse

Published: 1 June 2001

M Tome, P Paez, AJ Jimenez, EM Rodriguez, M Perez-Figares

Univ Malaga, Fac Ciencias, Dept Biol Celular & Genet, E-29071 Malaga, Spain; Univ Austral Chile, Inst Histol & Patol, Valdivia, Chile

Abstract

Hyh is a lethal autosomal recessive mouse mutation located in chromosome 7. Newborn homozygous mutants presented moderate hydrocephalus, and then a severe hydrocephalus develops during the first postnatal days (Perez-Figares et al, 1998). Mutant embryos showed a well-defined pattern of ependymal cell denudation in floor and in basal plate derivatives and later in alar plate derivatives. A relationship between ependymal denudation and degree of ependymal differentiation can be observed. Ependymal denudation precedes hydrocephalus; an increased bulk flow of brain fluid may be causing the hydrocephalus developed in these embryos. The floor plate of hindbrain detached whereas that of the spinal cord did not, further supporting the functional zonation of the floor plate.