Differentiation of ganglionic cells in Hydra

Neuron differentiation in hydra involves dividing intermediates

The neuron differentiation pathway in hydra is usually assumed to be the following. A multipotent stem cell among the large interstitial cells becomes committed to neuron differentiation and divides. The two daughter cells, which are postmitotic small interstitial cells, subsequently differentiate into neurons. Herein the neuron pathway of the lower peduncle of Hydra oligactis was examined in some detail. In this region a substantial amount of neuron differentiation takes place, but very few large interstitial cells are present. It was found that small interstitial cells, which are capable of dividing, differentiate into neurons. The minimum time required to traverse the pathway from S phase of the last proliferating intermediate to a neuron is 18 hr. Thus, the neuron differentiation pathway in the lower peduncle involves dividing intermediates and is therefore more complex than usually assumed. Evidence for dividing small interstitial cells in the head, where the highest rate of neuron differentiation occurs, suggests that this more complex pathway may be common to all regions of the animal. A consequence of this finding is that the body of evidence concerning the commitment of multipotent stem cells to neurons and the control of this commitment requires reinterpretation.

Spatial and temporal patterns of interstitial cell migration in Hydra vulgaris

Interstitial cell migration was characterized in Hydra vulgaris (formerly H. attenuata) and the effects of axial position and tissue injury on migration were investigated. Migrating cells were labeled with the thymidine analog, bromodeoxyuridine, and grafted into unlabeled host polyps. Alternatively, cells were labeled directly in hosts with the fluorescent, carbocyanine dye, DiI. The results show that cell migration appeared constrained to proximal (toward the basal disk) or distal (toward the tentacles) movements, but were never lateral. Some cells moved bidirectionally. The fastest migrating cells moved an average of 28 microns/hr. Two to six percent of the gastric region interstitial cells migrated in 1 day and accumulated throughout the body column. In grafted polyps, an average of eight cells emigrated from midgastric regions every hour. Tissue injury had no observed effect on the amount of cell migration. Cells emigrating from midgastric regions showed a preference for distal accumulation, and this bias was enhanced when migrating cells originated from more distal positions in the polyp. Proximally derived tissue grafted to a more distal position also showed similar, preferential distal migration, indicating that interstitial cell migration patterns are dependent upon their position in the body column and not upon their origin. Migrating interstitial cells are slower moving and less numerous than migrating nematocytes in H. vulgaris, but since their migration patterns are similar, the migration of both cell types may be influenced by the same directional cues.

Nerve cells in hydra: monoclonal antibodies identify two lineages with distinct mechanisms for their incorporation into head tissue

The relationship between populations of nerve cells defined by two monoclonal antibodies was investigated in Hydra oligactis. A population of sensory nerve cells localized in the head (hypostome and tentacles) is identified by the binding of antibody JD1. A second antibody, RC9, binds ganglion cells throughout the animal. When the nerve cell precursors, the interstitial cells, are depleted by treatment with hydroxyurea or nitrogen mustard, the JD1+ nerve cells are lost as epithelial tissue is sloughed at the extremities. In contrast, RC9+ nerve cells remain present in all regions of the animal following treatment with either drug. When such hydra are decapitated to initiate head regeneration, the new head tissue formed is again free of JD1+ sensory cells but does contain RC9+ ganglion cells. Our studies indicate that (1) nerve cells are passively displaced with the epithelial tissue in hydra, (2) JD1+ sensory cells do not arise by the conversion of body column nerve cells that are displaced into the head, whereas RC9+ head nerve cells can originate in the body column, (3) formation of new JD1+ sensory cells requires interstitial cell differentiation. We conclude from these results that the two populations defined by these antibodies are incorporated into the h ad via different developmental pathways and, therefore, constitute distinct nerve cell lineages.