Development of Heterotypic Combinations of Dissociated Embryonic Chick Cells.

Abstract

The behavior in vitro of dissociated and reaggregated mesonephric and limb-bud cells of the early chick embryo was studied in heterotypic, isochronic and heterochronic combina-tions. Under the conditions examined, all cell types incorporated in the cell suspensions reappeared eventually in the aggregates to form tissue-like groupings that developed in accordance with their tissue of origin. Manifestation of the characteristic histogenetic activity by cells of a given type in a heterotypic combination decreased in proportion to their share in the total population. If present below a certain liminal proportion, the cells did not reconstitute their typical tissue fabric, although equal amounts, when cultured separately, would differentiate histotypically.