Differences in the morphogenetic properties of mouse and chick embryonic liver cells.

Abstract

AbstractAggregates containing trypsin‐disaggregated mouse and chick embryonic liver cells were prepared, and in confirmation of Moscona's reports, no substantial sorting out was seen. While this behavior could mean that the morphogenetic properties of these cells are the same, alternative explanations have not been ruled out. Thus, additional comparisons of these cells were needed to decide whether these properties are the same, and two such tests were performed.It is known that when two pieces of chick embryonic liver are fused together, neither piece envelops the other. If mouse and chick embryonic liver cells had identical properties, no envelopment would be expected in mouse‐chick liver fusions. Such fusions were prepared, and contrary to this expectation, chick liver enveloped mouse liver almost invariably.It is known that chick embryonic liver cells sort out from chick embryonic heart ventricle cells in mixed aggregates. If mouse liver cells had properties identical to those of chick liver cells, it would be expected that they too would sort out from chick ventricle cells. Mouse liver‐chick ventricle cell aggregates were prepared, and contrary to this expectation, no substantial sorting out was found.These two tests demonstrate that the morphogenetic properties of mouse and chick embryonic liver cells are not the same. Clearly, a new explanation must be found for their lack of sorting out, and several possible explanations are discussed.