2.1 Migration and Proliferation
In the initial phase of limb development, mesenchymal cells of the lateral plate
mesenchyme and of the somitic mesenchyme migrate towar ds the limb field [2].
The ectodermal cells are induced by the mesoderm to form a specialized epithelial
structure termed the apical ectodermal ridge (AER). The AER supports migration
and proliferation of the mesench ymal cells providing the cell mass for the forma-
tion of precartilage condensations [46, 47].
2.2 Cell Condensation
Cell condensation is characterized as a transient stage during the early morphogen-
esis which can be detected by PNA (peanut agglutinin) staining [48, 49]. During
cell condensation, cell density in the prospective limb regions is increased leading
to cell–cell contacts mediated by cell adhesion molecules such as N-cadherin and
N-CAM [50–52] and the formation of gap junctions [53, 54]. Cell adhesion
molecules are expressed specifically during the condensation phase and down
regulated subsequently upon chondrogenic differentiation of the prechondro genic
cells. Prior to cell condensation, the extracellular matrix in the prospective limb
regions contains high amounts of collagen type I and hyaluronan [55, 56]. Hyaluronan
is supposed to prevent cell–cell interactions prior to the condensation phase [56].
During the condensation phase, hyaluronidase activity is detected, suggesting that
matrix remodeling takes place allowing for cell–cell interaction. During the con-
densation phase, a specific splice variant of fibronectin, FnEIIIA, is detected
throughout the condensations [57, 58]. Fibronectin was shown to be essential
for condensation and subsequent chondrogenesis. Furthermor e, fibrone ctin distri-
bution during the condensation phase indicates the localization of skeletal elements
formed later on [55].
2.3 Chondrogenic Differentiation
Cellular differentiation is characterized by the increased synthesis of transcription
factors sox-5 and sox-6, and the appearance of the cartilage specific transcription
factor sox-9 [59–61]. Collagen type I and fibronectin are synthesized in the ECM
prior to condensation and reach a maximum density at the time of cellular differen-
tiation [55]. Chondrogenic differentiation of the condensing cells is characterized
by the appearance of collagen types II, IX, and XI, the characteristic components of
collagenous network of cartilage tissue. As a result of chondrogenic differentiation,
178 C. Goepfert et al.