scholarly journals A vital dye analysis of the timing and pathways of avian trunk neural crest cell migration

Development ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 809-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.N. Serbedzija ◽  
M. Bronner-Fraser ◽  
S.E. Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Neural Crest ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Crest Cell ◽  
Neural Crest Cells ◽  
Sympathetic Ganglia ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Root Cells ◽  
Vital Dye ◽  
Rostral Portion ◽  
Crest Cell

To permit a more detailed analysis of neural crest cell migratory pathways in the chick embryo, neural crest cells were labelled with a nondeleterious membrane intercalating vital dye, DiI. All neural tube cells with endfeet in contact with the lumen, including premigratory neural crest cells, were labelled by pressure injecting a solution of DiI into the lumen of the neural tube. When assayed one to three days later, migrating neural crest cells, motor axons, and ventral root cells were the only cells types external to the neural tube labelled with DiI. During the neural crest cell migratory phase, distinctly labelled cells were found along: (1) a dorsolateral pathway, under the epidermis, as well adjacent to and intercalating through the dermamyotome; and (2) a ventral pathway, through the rostral portion of each sclerotome and around the dorsal aorta as described previously. In contrast to those cells migrating through the sclerotome, labelled cells on the dorsolateral pathway were not segmentally arranged along the rostrocaudal axis. DiI-labelled cells were observed in all truncal neural crest derivatives, including subepidermal presumptive pigment cells, dorsal root ganglia, and sympathetic ganglia. By varying the stage at which the injection was performed, neural crest cell emigration at the level of the wing bud was shown to occur from stage 13 through stage 22. In addition, neural crest cells were found to populate their derivatives in a ventral-to-dorsal order, with the latest emigrating cells migrating exclusively along the dorsolateral pathway.

The distribution of fibronectin and tenascin along migratory pathways of the neural crest in the trunk of amphibian embryos

Development ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 743-756 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.H. Epperlein ◽  
W. Halfter ◽  
R.P. Tucker
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Neural Crest ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Crest Cell ◽  
Neural Crest Cells ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Dorsal Fin ◽  
Amphibian Embryos ◽  
Neural Crest Cell Migration ◽  
Crest Cell

It is generally assumed that in amphibian embryos neural crest cells migrate dorsally, where they form the mesenchyme of the dorsal fin, laterally (between somites and epidermis), where they give rise to pigment cells, and ventromedially (between somites and neural tube), where they form the elements of the peripheral nervous system. While there is agreement about the crest migratory routes in the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), different opinions exist about the lateral pathway in Xenopus. We investigated neural crest cell migration in Xenopus (stages 23, 32, 35/36 and 41) using the X. laevis-X. borealis nuclear marker system and could not find evidence for cells migrating laterally. We have also used immunohistochemistry to study the distribution of the extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoproteins fibronectin (FN) and tenascin (TN), which have been implicated in directing neural crest cells during their migrations in avian and mammalian embryos, in the neural crest migratory pathways of Xenopus and the axolotl. In premigratory stages of the crest, both in Xenopus (stage 22) and the axolotl (stage 25), FN was found subepidermally and in extracellular spaces around the neural tube, notochord and somites. The staining was particularly intense in the dorsal part of the embryo, but it was also present along the visceral and parietal layers of the lateral plate mesoderm. TN, in contrast, was found only in the anterior trunk mesoderm in Xenopus; in the axolotl, it was absent. During neural crest cell migration in Xenopus (stages 25–33) and the axolotl (stages 28–35), anti-FN stained the ECM throughout the embryo, whereas anti-TN staining was limited to dorsal regions. There it was particularly intense medially, i.e. in the dorsal fin, around the neural tube, notochord, dorsal aorta and at the medial surface of the somites (stage 35 in both species). During postmigratory stages in Xenopus (stage 40), anti-FN staining was less intense than anti-TN staining. In culture, axolotl neural crest cells spread differently on FN- and TN-coated substrata. On TN, the onset of cellular outgrowth was delayed for about 1 day, but after 3 days the extent of outgrowth was indistinguishable from cultures grown on FN. However, neural crest cells in 3-day-old cultures were much more flattened on FN than on TN. We conclude that both FN and TN are present in the ECM that lines the neural crest migratory pathways of amphibian embryos at the time when the neural crest cells are actively migrating. FN is present in the embryonic ECM before the onset of neural crest migration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

scholarly journals Pathways of trunk neural crest cell migration in the mouse embryo as revealed by vital dye labelling

Development ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 108 (4) ◽  
pp. 605-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.N. Serbedzija ◽  
S.E. Fraser ◽  
M. Bronner-Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Neural Crest ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Mouse Embryo ◽  
Neural Crest Cell ◽  
Neural Crest Cells ◽  
Sympathetic Ganglia ◽  
Ventral Pathway ◽  
Neural Crest Cell Migration ◽  
Crest Cell

Analysis of neural crest cell migration in the mouse has been difficult due to the lack of reliable cell markers. Recently, we found that injection of DiI into the chick neural tube marks premigratory neural crest cells whose endfeet are in contact with the lumen of the neural tube (Serbedzija et al. Development 106, 809–819 (1989)). In the present study, this technique was applied to study neural crest cell migratory pathways in the trunk of the mouse embryo. Embryos were removed from the mother between the 8th and the 10th days of development and DiI was injected into the lumen of the neural tube. The embryos were then cultured for 12 to 24 h, and analyzed at the level of the forelimb. We observed two predominant pathways of neural crest cell migration: (1) a ventral pathway through the rostral portion of the somite and (2) a dorsolateral pathway between the dermamyotome and the epidermis. Neural crest cells were observed along the dorsolateral pathway throughout the period of migration. The distribution of labelled cells along the ventral pathway suggested that there were two overlapping phases of migration. An early ventrolateral phase began before E9 and ended by E9.5; this pathway consisted of a stream of cells within the rostral sclerotome, adjacent to the dermamyotome, that extended ventrally to the region of the sympathetic ganglia and the dorsal aorta.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

scholarly journals Vital dye labelling of Xenopus laevis trunk neural crest reveals multipotency and novel pathways of migration

Development ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Collazo ◽  
M. Bronner-Fraser ◽  
S.E. Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Neural Crest ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Neural Crest Cell ◽  
Neural Crest Cells ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Spinal Ganglia ◽  
Posterior Portion ◽  
Precise Position

Although the Xenopus embryo has served as an important model system for both molecular and cellular studies of vertebrate development, comparatively little is known about its neural crest. Here, we take advantage of the ease of manipulation and relative transparency of Xenopus laevis embryos to follow neural crest cell migration and differentiation in living embryos. We use two techniques to study the lineage and migratory patterns of frog neural crest cells: (1) injections of DiI or lysinated rhodamine dextran (LRD) into small populations of neural crest cells to follow movement and (2) injections of LRD into single cells to follow cell lineage. By using non-invasive approaches that allow observations in living embryos and control of the time and position of labelling, we have been able to expand upon the results of previous grafting experiments. Migration and differentiation of the labelled cells were observed over time in individual living embryos, and later in sections to determine precise position and morphology. Derivatives populated by the neural crest are the fins, pigment stripes, spinal ganglia, adrenal medulla, pronephric duct, enteric nuclei and the posterior portion of the dorsal aorta. In the rostral to mid-trunk levels, most neural crest cells migrate along two paths: a dorsal pathway into the fin, followed by presumptive fin cells, and a ventral pathway along the neural tube and notochord, followed by presumptive pigment, sensory ganglion, sympathetic ganglion and adrenal medullary cells. In the caudal trunk, two additional paths were noted. One group of cells moves circumferentially within the fin, in an arc from dorsal to ventral; another progresses ventrally to the anus and subsequently populates the ventral fin. By labelling individual precursor cells, we find that neural tube and neural crest cells often share a common precursor. The majority of clones contain labelled progeny cells in the dorsal fin. The remainder have progeny in multiple derivatives including spinal ganglion cells, pigment cells, enteric cells, fin cells and/or neural tube cells in all combinations, suggesting that many premigratory Xenopus neural crest precursors are multipotent.

scholarly journals Rhombomeric origin and rostrocaudal reassortment of neural crest cells revealed by intravital microscopy

Development ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 121 (4) ◽  
pp. 935-945 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Birgbauer ◽  
J. Sechrist ◽  
M. Bronner-Fraser ◽  
S. Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Neural Crest ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Crest Cell ◽  
Neural Crest Cells ◽  
Light Level ◽  
Epifluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Branchial Arches ◽  
Neural Crest Cell Migration ◽  
Migratory Pattern ◽  
Crest Cell

Neural crest cell migration in the hindbrain is segmental, with prominent streams of migrating cells adjacent to rhombomeres (r) r2, r4 and r6, but not r3 or r5. This migratory pattern cannot be explained by the failure of r3 and r5 to produce neural crest, since focal injections of the lipophilic dye, DiI, into the neural folds clearly demonstrate that all rhombomeres produce neural crest cells. Here, we examine the dynamics of hindbrain neural crest cell emigration and movement by iontophoretically injecting DiI into small numbers of cells. The intensely labeled cells and their progeny were repeatedly imaged using low-light-level epifluorescence microscopy, permitting their movement to be followed in living embryos over time. These intravital images definitively show that neural crest cells move both rostrally and caudally from r3 and r5 to emerge as a part of the streams adjacent to r2, r4, and/or r6. Within the first few hours, cells labeled in r3 move within and/or along the dorsal neural tube surface, either rostrally toward the r2/3 border or caudally toward the r3/4 border. The labeled cells exit the surface of the neural tube near these borders and migrate toward the first or second branchial arches several hours after initial labeling. Focal DiI injections into r5 resulted in neural crest cell contributions to both the second and third branchial arches, again via rostrocaudal movements of the cells before migration into the periphery. These results demonstrate conclusively that all rhombomeres give rise to neural crest cells, and that rostrocaudal rearrangement of the cells contributes to the segmental migration of neural crest cells adjacent to r2, r4, and r6. Furthermore, it appears that there are consistent exit points of neural crest cell emigration; for example, cells arising from r3 emigrate almost exclusively from the rostral or caudal borders of that rhombomere.

The role of cell-extracellular matrix interactions in neural crest cell migration

1989 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 842-843
Author(s):  
Marianne Bronner-Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Cell Migration ◽  
Neural Crest ◽  
Cell Movement ◽  
Neural Crest Cell ◽  
Neural Crest Cells ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Surrounding Matrix ◽  
Adrenal Chromaffin ◽  
Crest Cell

The formation of the embryo involves intricate cell movements, cell proliferation, and differentiation. The neural crest has long served as a model for the study of these processes because these cells: 1. migrate extensively along characteristic pathways during embryogenesis. 2. give rise to diverse and numerous derivatives, including pigment cells, adrenal chromaffin cells, and the ganglia of the peripheral nervous system; and 3. are accessible to surgical, immunological, and biochemical manipulations during both initial and certain later stages in their development. We are in the process of identifying factors that influence cell migration and differentiation in the neural crest system.Neural crest cells follow two primary migratory pathways in the trunk: a dorsolateral route underneath the skin, and a ventral route through the somite. Within the somites, neural crest cells preferentially migrate through the rostral half of each sclerotome but are absent from the caudal sclerotome. The regions through which neural crest cells migrate are lined with extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. Because of the intimate relationship between neural crest cells and the surrounding matrix, it has been proposed that the ECM plays an important role in the initiation, guidance, and cessation of neural crest cell movement.

Immunohistochemical localisation of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans and the effects of chondroitinase ABC in 9- to 11-day rat embryos

Development ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 787-798
Author(s):  
G. Morriss-Kay ◽  
F. Tuckett
Keyword(s):  
Neural Crest ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Chondroitin Sulphate ◽  
Neural Crest Cell ◽  
Neural Crest Cells ◽  
Neural Tube Closure ◽  
Chondroitinase Abc ◽  
Rat Embryos ◽  
Crest Cell ◽  
Tube Closure

Studies on cell behaviour in vitro have indicated that the chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan (CSPG) family of molecules can participate in the control of cell proliferation, differentiation and adhesion, but its morphogenetic functions had not been investigated in intact embryos. Chondroitin/chondroitin sulphates have been identified in rat embryos at low levels at the start of neurulation (day 9) and at much higher levels on day 10. In this study we have sought evidence for the morphogenetic functions of CSPGs in rat embryos during the period of neurulation and neural crest cell migration by a combination of two approaches: immunocytochemical localization of CSPG by means of an antibody, CS-56, to the chondroitin sulphate component of CSPG, and exposure of embryos to the enzyme chondroitinase ABC. Staining of the CS-56 epitope was poor at the beginning of cranial neurulation; bright staining was at first confined to the primary mesenchyme under the convex neural folds late on day 9. In day 10 embryos, all mesenchyme cells were stained, but at different levels of intensity, so that primary mesenchyme, neural crest and sclerotomal cells could be distinguished from each other. Basement membranes were also stained, particularly bright staining being present where two epithelial were basally apposed, e.g., neural/surface ectoderms, dorsal aorta/neural tube, prior to migration of a population of cells between them. Staining within the neural epithelium was first confined to the dorsolateral edge region, and associated with the onset of neural crest cell emigration; after neural tube closure, neuroepithelial staining was more general. Neural crest cells were stained during migration, but the reaction was absent in areas associated with migration end-points (trigeminal ganglion anlagen, frontonasal mesenchyme). Embryos exposed to chondroitinase ABC in culture showed no abnormalities until early day 10, when cranial neural crest cell emigration from the neural epithelium was inhibited and neural tube closure was retarded. Sclerotomal cells failed to take their normal pathway between the dorsal aorta and neural tube. Correlation of the results of these two methods suggests: (1) that by decreasing adhesiveness within the neural epithelium at specific stages, CSPG facilitates the emigration of neural crest cells and the migratory movement of neuroblasts, and may also provide increased flexibility during the generation of epithelial curvatures; (2) that by decreasing the adhesiveness of fibronectin-containing extracellular matrices, CSPG facilitates the migration of neural crest and sclerotomal cells. This second function is particularly important when migrating cells take pathways between previously apposed tissues.

A role for rhoB in the delamination of neural crest cells from the dorsal neural tube

Development ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 125 (24) ◽  
pp. 5055-5067 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.P. Liu ◽  
T.M. Jessell
Keyword(s):  
Neural Crest ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Crest Cell ◽  
Neural Crest Cells ◽  
Bmp Signaling ◽  
Dorsal Neural Tube ◽  
Rho Family ◽  
Neural Crest Differentiation ◽  
Crest Cell

The differentiation of neural crest cells from progenitors located in the dorsal neural tube appears to involve three sequential steps: the specification of premigratory neural crest cell fate, the delamination of these cells from the neural epithelium and the migration of neural crest cells in the periphery. BMP signaling has been implicated in the specification of neural crest cell fate but the mechanisms that control the emergence of neural crest cells from the neural tube remain poorly understood. To identify molecules that might function at early steps of neural crest differentiation, we performed a PCR-based screen for genes induced by BMPs in chick neural plate cells. We describe the cloning and characterization of one gene obtained from this screen, rhoB, a member of the rho family GTP-binding proteins. rhoB is expressed in the dorsal neural tube and its expression persists transiently in migrating neural crest cells. BMPs induce the neural expression of rhoB but not the more widely expressed rho family member, rhoA. Inhibition of rho activity by C3 exotoxin prevents the delamination of neural crest cells from neural tube explants but has little effect on the initial specification of premigratory neural crest cell fate or on the later migration of neural crest cells. These results suggest that rhoB has a role in the delamination of neural crest cells from the dorsal neural tube.

scholarly journals In ovo time-lapse analysis after dorsal neural tube ablation shows rerouting of chick hindbrain neural crest

Development ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 127 (13) ◽  
pp. 2843-2852 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Kulesa ◽  
M. Bronner-Fraser ◽  
S. Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Neural Crest ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Crest Cell ◽  
Neural Crest Cells ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Cell Interactions ◽  
In Ovo ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Crest Cell ◽  
Cell Cell

Previous analyses of single neural crest cell trajectories have suggested important roles for interactions between neural crest cells and the environment, and amongst neural crest cells. To test the relative contribution of intrinsic versus extrinsic information in guiding cells to their appropriate sites, we ablated subpopulations of premigratory chick hindbrain neural crest and followed the remaining neural crest cells over time using a new in ovo imaging technique. Neural crest cell migratory behaviors are dramatically different in ablated compared with unoperated embryos. Deviations from normal migration appear either shortly after cells emerge from the neural tube or en route to the branchial arches, areas where cell-cell interactions typically occur between neural crest cells in normal embryos. Unlike the persistent, directed trajectories in normal embryos, neural crest cells frequently change direction and move somewhat chaotically after ablation. In addition, the migration of neural crest cells in collective chains, commonly observed in normal embryos, was severely disrupted. Hindbrain neural crest cells have the capacity to reroute their migratory pathways and thus compensate for missing neural crest cells after ablation of neighboring populations. Because the alterations in neural crest cell migration are most dramatic in regions that would normally foster cell-cell interactions, the trajectories reported here argue that cell-cell interactions have a key role in the shaping of the neural crest migration.

scholarly journals Developmental potential of trunk neural crest cells in the mouse

Development ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 120 (7) ◽  
pp. 1709-1718 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.N. Serbedzija ◽  
M. Bronner-Fraser ◽  
S.E. Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Neural Crest ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Mouse Embryo ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Neural Crest Cell ◽  
Experimental System ◽  
Neural Crest Cells ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Developmental Potential

The availability of naturally occurring and engineered mutations in mice which affect the neural crest makes the mouse embryo an important experimental system for studying neural crest cell differentiation. Here, we determine the normal developmental potential of neural crest cells by performing in situ cell lineage analysis in the mouse by microinjecting lysinated rhodamine dextran (LRD) into individual dorsal neural tube cells in the trunk. Labeled progeny derived from single cells were found in the neural tube, dorsal root ganglia, sympathoadrenal derivatives, presumptive Schwann cells and/or pigment cells. Most embryos contained labeled cells both in the neural tube and at least one neural crest derivative, and numerous clones contributed to multiple neural crest derivatives. The time of injection influenced the derivatives populated by the labeled cells. Injections at early stages of migration yielded labeled progeny in both dorsal and ventral neural crest derivatives, whereas those performed at later stages had labeled cells only in more dorsal neural crest derivatives, such as dorsal root ganglion and presumptive pigment cells. The results suggest that in the mouse embryo: (1) there is a common precursor for neural crest and neural tube cells; (2) some neural crest cells are multipotent; and (3) the timing of emigration influences the range of possible neural crest derivatives.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document