Modification of mouse nodal flow by applying artificial flow

Abstract

In mammalian development, the earliest left-right (L-R) asymmetry is nodal flow, which is a cilia-driven leftward fluid flow on the ventral surface of the node. The importance of nodal flow for L-R determination was demonstrated by experiments to modify nodal flow by imposing artificial fluid flow. In this system, cultured mouse embryos developed reversed L-R asymmetry when their node cavity had rightward flow, and normal L-R asymmetry when their node had leftward flow. This chapter describes details of the culture system that can modify nodal flow.