Visualizing and manipulating the production and accumulation of hyaluronan for functional assessment in chicken embryos

Abstract

Summary: Hyaluronan (HA) accumulates in the extracellular matrix to regulate organ morphogenesis. The spatiotemporal dynamics of its production and function are poorly understood due to its instability. Here, we present a protocol using the embryonic chicken intestine as a binary in vivo system for HA visualization and manipulation. We describe steps for pharmacological manipulation and in ovo electroporation to target HA production and accumulation. We then detail HA-binding protein assay to detect HA accumulation and quantification of tissue morphology changes.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Sivakumar et al. (2018)1 and Sanketi et al. (2022).2 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Keywords

• Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Microscopy
• Model Organisms
• Molecular Biology
• Gene Expression