Proper development of the outer longitudinal smooth muscle of the mouse pylorus requires Nkx2-5 and Gata3

Aaron M. Udager, Ajay Prakash, David A. Saenz, Martina Schinke, Takashi Moriguchi, Patrick Y. Jay, Kim Chew Lim, James Douglas Engel, Deborah L. Gumucio

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background & Aims Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is a common birth anomaly characterized by obstruction of the pyloric lumen. A genome-wide association study implicated NKX2-5, which encodes a transcription factor that is expressed in embryonic heart and pylorus, in the pathogenesis of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. However, the function of the NKX2-5 in pyloric smooth muscle development has not been examined directly. We investigated the pattern of Nkx2-5 during the course of murine pyloric sphincter development and examined coexpression of Nkx2-5 with Gata3 and Sox9 - other transcription factors with pyloric-specific mesenchymal expression. We also assessed pyloric sphincter development in mice with disruption of Nkx2-5 or Gata3. Methods We used immunofluorescence analysis to compare levels of NKX2-5, GATA3, and SOX9 in different regions of smooth muscle cells. Pyloric development was assessed in mice with conditional or germline deletion of Nkx2-5 or Gata3, respectively. Results Gata3, Nkx2-5, and Sox9 are coexpressed in differentiating smooth muscle cells of a distinct fascicle of the pyloric outer longitudinal muscle. Expansion of this fascicle coincides with development of the pyloric sphincter. Disruption of Nkx2-5 or Gata3 causes severe hypoplasia of this fascicle and alters pyloric muscle shape. Although expression of Sox9 requires Nkx2-5 and Gata3, there is no apparent hierarchical relationship between Nkx2-5 and Gata3 during pyloric outer longitudinal muscle development. Conclusions Nkx2-5 and Gata3 are independently required for the development of a pyloric outer longitudinal muscle fascicle, which is required for pyloric sphincter morphogenesis in mice. These data indicate that regulatory changes that alter Nkx2-5 or Gata3 expression could contribute to pathogenesis of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)157-165.e10
JournalGastroenterology
Volume146
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2014

Keywords

  • Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis
  • Primary Duodenogastric Reflux
  • Smooth Muscle Development
  • Sox9

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Proper development of the outer longitudinal smooth muscle of the mouse pylorus requires Nkx2-5 and Gata3'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this