NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE RODENT PRIMORDIAL DIAPHRAGM
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Abstract
The focus of this thesis work was toward advancing our understanding of the normal and pathological development of the diaphragm. This included: (1) studies of the embryology of the primordial diaphragm tissue, the pleuroperitoneal fold (PPF), as it relates to congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), and (2) investigating the relationship between migrating Schwann cells, phrenic axons and muscle cells in the developing diaphragm. The primary method of investigation was immunolabeling of the phrenic nerve, Schwann cells, muscle cells and the amuscular cellular component of the PPF and the diaphragm using the nitrofen model of CDH and transgenic mouse models. Together, these data provide the foundation for novel directions of research into CDH pathogenesis and specifically advance our understanding of: (1) the mechanism of CDH pathogenesis with special focus on PPF mesenchymal cells; and (2) the mechanism of axonal guidance and intramuscular branching.