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Stassen SV, Kobashi M, Lam EY, Huang Y, Ho JWK, Tsia KK. StaVia: spatially and temporally aware cartography with higher-order random walks for cell atlases. Genome Biol 2024; 25:224. [PMID: 39152459 PMCID: PMC11328412 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03347-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Single-cell atlases pose daunting computational challenges pertaining to the integration of spatial and temporal information and the visualization of trajectories across large atlases. We introduce StaVia, a computational framework that synergizes multi-faceted single-cell data with higher-order random walks that leverage the memory of cells' past states, fused with a cartographic Atlas View that offers intuitive graph visualization. This spatially aware cartography captures relationships between cell populations based on their spatial location as well as their gene expression and developmental stage. We demonstrate this using zebrafish gastrulation data, underscoring its potential to dissect complex biological landscapes in both spatial and temporal contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shobana V Stassen
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
| | - Minato Kobashi
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Edmund Y Lam
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- AI Chip Center for Emerging Smart Systems, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Yuanhua Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Joshua W K Ho
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Kevin K Tsia
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
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2
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Pappas MP, Kawakami H, Corcoran D, Chen KQ, Scott EP, Wong J, Gearhart MD, Nishinakamura R, Nakagawa Y, Kawakami Y. Sall4 regulates posterior trunk mesoderm development by promoting mesodermal gene expression and repressing neural genes in the mesoderm. Development 2024; 151:dev202649. [PMID: 38345319 PMCID: PMC10946440 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
The trunk axial skeleton develops from paraxial mesoderm cells. Our recent study demonstrated that conditional knockout of the stem cell factor Sall4 in mice by TCre caused tail truncation and a disorganized axial skeleton posterior to the lumbar level. Based on this phenotype, we hypothesized that, in addition to the previously reported role of Sall4 in neuromesodermal progenitors, Sall4 is involved in the development of the paraxial mesoderm tissue. Analysis of gene expression and SALL4 binding suggests that Sall4 directly or indirectly regulates genes involved in presomitic mesoderm differentiation, somite formation and somite differentiation. Furthermore, ATAC-seq in TCre; Sall4 mutant posterior trunk mesoderm shows that Sall4 knockout reduces chromatin accessibility. We found that Sall4-dependent open chromatin status drives activation and repression of WNT signaling activators and repressors, respectively, to promote WNT signaling. Moreover, footprinting analysis of ATAC-seq data suggests that Sall4-dependent chromatin accessibility facilitates CTCF binding, which contributes to the repression of neural genes within the mesoderm. This study unveils multiple mechanisms by which Sall4 regulates paraxial mesoderm development by directing activation of mesodermal genes and repression of neural genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P. Pappas
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Hiroko Kawakami
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Dylan Corcoran
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Katherine Q. Chen
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Earl Parker Scott
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Julia Wong
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Micah D. Gearhart
- Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Ryuichi Nishinakamura
- Department of Kidney Development, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Yasushi Nakagawa
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Yasuhiko Kawakami
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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3
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Liu C, Xie Y, Chen X, Liu L, Liu C, Yin Z. BAF45D-binding to HOX genes was differentially targeted in H9-derived spinal cord neural stem cells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:29. [PMID: 38168763 PMCID: PMC10761701 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50939-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Chromatin accessibility has been used to define how cells adopt region-specific neural fates. BAF45D is one of the subunits of a specialised chromatin remodelling BAF complex. It has been reported that BAF45D is expressed in spinal cord neural stem cells (NSCs) and regulates their fate specification. Within the developing vertebrate spinal cord, HOX genes exhibit spatially restricted expression patterns. However, the chromatin accessibility of BAF45D binding HOX genes in spinal cord NSCs is unclear. In the present study, we found that in H9-derived spinal cord NSCs, BAF45D targets TBX6, a gene that regulates spinal cord neural mesodermal progenitors. Furthermore, BAF45D binding to the NES gene is much more enriched in H9-derived spinal cord NSCs chromatin compared to ESCs chromatin. In addition, BAF45D binding to anterior and trunk/central HOX genes, but not to lumbosacral HOX genes, was much more enriched in NSCs chromatin compared to ESCs chromatin. These results may shed new light on the role of BAF45D in regulating region-specific spinal cord NSCs by targeting HOX genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Yuxin Xie
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Xueying Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Lihua Liu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
| | - Zongsheng Yin
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
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4
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Frith TJR, Briscoe J, Boezio GLM. From signalling to form: the coordination of neural tube patterning. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 159:168-231. [PMID: 38729676 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2023.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The development of the vertebrate spinal cord involves the formation of the neural tube and the generation of multiple distinct cell types. The process starts during gastrulation, combining axial elongation with specification of neural cells and the formation of the neuroepithelium. Tissue movements produce the neural tube which is then exposed to signals that provide patterning information to neural progenitors. The intracellular response to these signals, via a gene regulatory network, governs the spatial and temporal differentiation of progenitors into specific cell types, facilitating the assembly of functional neuronal circuits. The interplay between the gene regulatory network, cell movement, and tissue mechanics generates the conserved neural tube pattern observed across species. In this review we offer an overview of the molecular and cellular processes governing the formation and patterning of the neural tube, highlighting how the remarkable complexity and precision of vertebrate nervous system arises. We argue that a multidisciplinary and multiscale understanding of the neural tube development, paired with the study of species-specific strategies, will be crucial to tackle the open questions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James Briscoe
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.
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5
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Lozovska A, Korovesi AG, Duarte P, Casaca A, Assunção T, Mallo M. The control of transitions along the main body axis. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 159:272-308. [PMID: 38729678 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Although vertebrates display a large variety of forms and sizes, the mechanisms controlling the layout of the basic body plan are substantially conserved throughout the clade. Following gastrulation, head, trunk, and tail are sequentially generated through the continuous addition of tissue at the caudal embryonic end. Development of each of these major embryonic regions is regulated by a distinct genetic network. The transitions from head-to-trunk and from trunk-to-tail development thus involve major changes in regulatory mechanisms, requiring proper coordination to guarantee smooth progression of embryonic development. In this review, we will discuss the key cellular and embryological events associated with those transitions giving particular attention to their regulation, aiming to provide a cohesive outlook of this important component of vertebrate development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Patricia Duarte
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ana Casaca
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Tereza Assunção
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Moises Mallo
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande, Oeiras, Portugal.
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6
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Della Gaspera B, Chanoine C. [The lateral somitic frontier: The source of multipotent somitic cells in Xenopus]. Med Sci (Paris) 2023; 39:967-974. [PMID: 38108728 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2023181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The somites are embryonic structures that give rise to the axial musculoskeletal system. In amniotes vertebrates, somites are composed of multipotent somitic cells that quickly compartmentalize into a dorsal dermomyotome and a ventral sclerotome. In the somites, the dermomyotome gives rise to skeletal muscle cells (the myotome) and the dorsal dermis (the dermatome), while the sclerotome gives rise to vertebrae, ribs, and dorsal tendons (the syndetome). The compartmentalization pattern differs in anamniotes, with the establishment of a primitive myotome that begins before somite formation while the LSF (lateral somitic frontier) give rise to both the sclerotome and the dermomyotome in Xenopus. In this synthesis, we describe the contribution of the LSF in establishing somitic lineages in Xenopus and propose a model that traces the evolutionary history of somites back to ancestral precursors associated with striated skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Della Gaspera
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1124, campus Saint-Germain, 45 rue des saints-pères, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Christophe Chanoine
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1124, campus Saint-Germain, 45 rue des saints-pères, 75006 Paris, France
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7
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Lozovska A, Nóvoa A, Kuo YY, Jurberg AD, Martins GG, Hadjantonakis AK, Mallo M. Tgfbr1 regulates lateral plate mesoderm and endoderm reorganization during the trunk to tail transition. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.22.554351. [PMID: 37662386 PMCID: PMC10473653 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.22.554351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
During the trunk to tail transition the mammalian embryo builds the outlets for the intestinal and urogenital tracts, lays down the primordia for the hindlimb and external genitalia, and switches from the epiblast/primitive streak to the tailbud as the driver of axial extension. Genetic and molecular data indicate that Tgfbr1 is a key regulator of the trunk to tail transition. Tgfbr1 has been shown to control the switch of the neuro mesodermal-competent cells from the epiblast to the chordo-neural hinge to generate the tail bud. We now show that Tgfbr1 signaling also controls the remodeling of the lateral plate mesoderm (LPM) and of the embryonic endoderm associated with the trunk to tail transition. In the absence of Tgfbr1 the two LPM layers do not converge at the end of the trunk, extending instead as separate layers enclosing the celomic cavity until the caudal embryonic extremity, and failing to activate markers of primordia for the hindlimb and external genitalia. However, this extended LPM, does not exhibit the molecular signatures characteristic of this tissue in the trunk. The vascular remodeling involving the dorsal aorta and the umbilical artery leading to the connection between embryonic and extraembryonic circulation was also affected in the Tgfbr1 mutant embryos. Similar alterations in the LPM and vascular system were also observed in Isl1 null mutants, indicating that this factor acts in the regulatory cascade downstream of Tgfbr1 in LPM-derived tissues. In addition, in the absence of Tgfbr1 the embryonic endoderm fails to expand to form the endodermal cloaca and to extend posteriorly to generate the tail gut. We present evidence suggesting that the remodeling activity of Tgfbr1 in the LPM and endoderm results from the control of the posterior primitive streak fate after its regression during the trunk to tail transition. Our data, together with previously reported observations, place Tgfbr1 at the top of the regulatory processes controlling the trunk to tail transition.
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8
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Duarte P, Brattig Correia R, Nóvoa A, Mallo M. Regulatory changes associated with the head to trunk developmental transition. BMC Biol 2023; 21:170. [PMID: 37553620 PMCID: PMC10408190 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01675-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Development of vertebrate embryos is characterized by early formation of the anterior tissues followed by the sequential extension of the axis at their posterior end to build the trunk and tail structures, first by the activity of the primitive streak and then of the tail bud. Embryological, molecular and genetic data indicate that head and trunk development are significantly different, suggesting that the transition into the trunk formation stage involves major changes in regulatory gene networks. RESULTS We explored those regulatory changes by generating differential interaction networks and chromatin accessibility profiles from the posterior epiblast region of mouse embryos at embryonic day (E)7.5 and E8.5. We observed changes in various cell processes, including several signaling pathways, ubiquitination machinery, ion dynamics and metabolic processes involving lipids that could contribute to the functional switch in the progenitor region of the embryo. We further explored the functional impact of changes observed in Wnt signaling associated processes, revealing a switch in the functional relevance of Wnt molecule palmitoleoylation, essential during gastrulation but becoming differentially required for the control of axial extension and progenitor differentiation processes during trunk formation. We also found substantial changes in chromatin accessibility at the two developmental stages, mostly mapping to intergenic regions and presenting differential footprinting profiles to several key transcription factors, indicating a significant switch in the regulatory elements controlling head or trunk development. Those chromatin changes are largely independent of retinoic acid, despite the key role of this factor in the transition to trunk development. We also tested the functional relevance of potential enhancers identified in the accessibility assays that reproduced the expression profiles of genes involved in the transition. Deletion of these regions by genome editing had limited effect on the expression of those genes, suggesting the existence of redundant enhancers that guarantee robust expression patterns. CONCLUSIONS This work provides a global view of the regulatory changes controlling the switch into the axial extension phase of vertebrate embryonic development. It also revealed mechanisms by which the cellular context influences the activity of regulatory factors, channeling them to implement one of several possible biological outputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Duarte
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande 6, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Rion Brattig Correia
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande 6, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ana Nóvoa
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande 6, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Moisés Mallo
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande 6, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal.
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9
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Stepien BK, Pawolski V, Wagner MC, Kurth T, Schmidt MHH, Epperlein HH. The Role of Posterior Neural Plate-Derived Presomitic Mesoderm (PSM) in Trunk and Tail Muscle Formation and Axis Elongation. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091313. [PMID: 37174713 PMCID: PMC10177618 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Elongation of the posterior body axis is distinct from that of the anterior trunk and head. Early drivers of posterior elongation are the neural plate/tube and notochord, later followed by the presomitic mesoderm (PSM), together with the neural tube and notochord. In axolotl, posterior neural plate-derived PSM is pushed posteriorly by convergence and extension of the neural plate. The PSM does not go through the blastopore but turns anteriorly to join the gastrulated paraxial mesoderm. To gain a deeper understanding of the process of axial elongation, a detailed characterization of PSM morphogenesis, which precedes somite formation, and of other tissues (such as the epidermis, lateral plate mesoderm and endoderm) is needed. We investigated these issues with specific tissue labelling techniques (DiI injections and GFP+ tissue grafting) in combination with optical tissue clearing and 3D reconstructions. We defined a spatiotemporal order of PSM morphogenesis that is characterized by changes in collective cell behaviour. The PSM forms a cohesive tissue strand and largely retains this cohesiveness even after epidermis removal. We show that during embryogenesis, the PSM, as well as the lateral plate and endoderm move anteriorly, while the net movement of the axis is posterior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara K Stepien
- Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden School of Medicine, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Verena Pawolski
- Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden School of Medicine, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc-Christoph Wagner
- Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden School of Medicine, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Kurth
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technology Platform, Electron Microscopy and Histology Facility, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Mirko H H Schmidt
- Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden School of Medicine, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Hans-Henning Epperlein
- Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden School of Medicine, 01062 Dresden, Germany
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10
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Hatakeyama Y, Saito N, Mii Y, Takada R, Shinozuka T, Takemoto T, Naoki H, Takada S. Intercellular exchange of Wnt ligands reduces cell population heterogeneity during embryogenesis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1924. [PMID: 37024462 PMCID: PMC10079677 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37350-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling is required to maintain bipotent progenitors for neural and paraxial mesoderm cells, the neuromesodermal progenitor (NMP) cells that reside in the epiblast and tailbud. Since epiblast/tailbud cells receive Wnt ligands produced by one another, this exchange may average out the heterogeneity of Wnt signaling levels among these cells. Here, we examined this possibility by replacing endogenous Wnt3a with a receptor-fused form that activates signaling in producing cells, but not in neighboring cells. Mutant mouse embryos show a unique phenotype in which maintenance of many NMP cells is impaired, although some cells persist for long periods. The epiblast cell population of these embryos increases heterogeneity in Wnt signaling levels as embryogenesis progresses and are sensitive to retinoic acid, an endogenous antagonist of NMP maintenance. Thus, mutual intercellular exchange of Wnt ligands in the epiblast cell population reduces heterogeneity and achieves robustness to environmental stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudai Hatakeyama
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
| | - Nen Saito
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
- The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-2 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8511, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Mii
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- PREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan
| | - Ritsuko Takada
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
| | - Takuma Shinozuka
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma, Nara, 630-0192, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Takemoto
- Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, 3-18-5 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Honda Naoki
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-2 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8511, Japan
| | - Shinji Takada
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
- The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
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11
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Schnirman RE, Kuo SJ, Kelly RC, Yamaguchi TP. The role of Wnt signaling in the development of the epiblast and axial progenitors. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 153:145-180. [PMID: 36967193 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2023.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how the body plan is established during embryogenesis remains a fundamental biological question. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial and highly conserved role in body plan formation, functioning to polarize the primary anterior-posterior (AP) or head-to-tail body axis in most metazoans. In this chapter, we focus on the roles that the mammalian Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays to prepare the pluripotent epiblast for gastrulation, and to elicit the emergence of multipotent axial progenitors from the caudal epiblast. Interactions between Wnt and retinoic acid (RA), another powerful family of developmental signaling molecules, in axial progenitors will also be discussed. Gastrulation movements and somitogenesis result in the anterior displacement of the RA source (the rostral somites and lateral plate mesoderm (LPM)), from the posterior Wnt source (the primitive streak (PS)), leading to the establishment of antiparallel gradients of RA and Wnt that control the self-renewal and successive differentiation of neck, trunk and tail progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samuel J Kuo
- NCI-Frederick, NIH, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Ryan C Kelly
- NCI-Frederick, NIH, Frederick, MD, United States
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12
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Semprich CI, Davidson L, Amorim Torres A, Patel H, Briscoe J, Metzis V, Storey KG. ERK1/2 signalling dynamics promote neural differentiation by regulating chromatin accessibility and the polycomb repressive complex. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3000221. [PMID: 36455041 PMCID: PMC9746999 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is a neural inducer in many vertebrate embryos, but how it regulates chromatin organization to coordinate the activation of neural genes is unclear. Moreover, for differentiation to progress, FGF signalling must decline. Why these signalling dynamics are required has not been determined. Here, we show that dephosphorylation of the FGF effector kinase ERK1/2 rapidly increases chromatin accessibility at neural genes in mouse embryos, and, using ATAC-seq in human embryonic stem cell derived spinal cord precursors, we demonstrate that this occurs genome-wide across neural genes. Importantly, ERK1/2 inhibition induces precocious neural gene transcription, and this involves dissociation of the polycomb repressive complex from key gene loci. This takes place independently of subsequent loss of the repressive histone mark H3K27me3 and transcriptional onset. Transient ERK1/2 inhibition is sufficient for the dissociation of the repressive complex, and this is not reversed on resumption of ERK1/2 signalling. Moreover, genomic footprinting of sites identified by ATAC-seq together with ChIP-seq for polycomb protein Ring1B revealed that ERK1/2 inhibition promotes the occupancy of neural transcription factors (TFs) at non-polycomb as well as polycomb associated sites. Together, these findings indicate that ERK1/2 signalling decline promotes global changes in chromatin accessibility and TF binding at neural genes by directing polycomb and other regulators and appears to serve as a gating mechanism that provides directionality to the process of differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia I. Semprich
- Division of Cell & Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Lindsay Davidson
- Division of Cell & Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Adriana Amorim Torres
- Division of Cell & Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Vicki Metzis
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (VM); (KGS)
| | - Kate G. Storey
- Division of Cell & Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (VM); (KGS)
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13
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Toh K, Saunders D, Verd B, Steventon B. Zebrafish neuromesodermal progenitors undergo a critical state transition in vivo. iScience 2022; 25:105216. [PMID: 36274939 PMCID: PMC9579027 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The transition state model of cell differentiation proposes that a transient window of gene expression stochasticity precedes entry into a differentiated state. Here, we assess this theoretical model in zebrafish neuromesodermal progenitors (NMps) in vivo during late somitogenesis stages. We observed an increase in gene expression variability at the 24 somite stage (24ss) before their differentiation into spinal cord and paraxial mesoderm. Analysis of a published 18ss scRNA-seq dataset showed that the NMp population is noisier than its derivatives. By building in silico composite gene expression maps from image data, we assigned an 'NM index' to in silico NMps based on the expression of neural and mesodermal markers and demonstrated that cell population heterogeneity peaked at 24ss. Further examination revealed cells with gene expression profiles incongruent with their prospective fate. Taken together, our work supports the transition state model within an endogenous cell fate decision making event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kane Toh
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Dillan Saunders
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Berta Verd
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
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14
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Li B, Brusman L, Dahlka J, Niswander LA. TMEM132A ensures mouse caudal neural tube closure and regulates integrin-based mesodermal migration. Development 2022; 149:dev200442. [PMID: 35950911 PMCID: PMC9482334 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Coordinated migration of the mesoderm is essential for accurate organization of the body plan during embryogenesis. However, little is known about how mesoderm migration influences posterior neural tube closure in mammals. Here, we show that spinal neural tube closure and lateral migration of the caudal paraxial mesoderm depend on transmembrane protein 132A (TMEM132A), a single-pass type I transmembrane protein, the function of which is not fully understood. Our study in Tmem132a-null mice and cell models demonstrates that TMEM132A regulates several integrins and downstream integrin pathway activation as well as cell migration behaviors. Our data also implicates mesoderm migration in elevation of the caudal neural folds and successful closure of the caudal neural tube. These results suggest a requirement for paraxial mesodermal cell migration during spinal neural tube closure, disruption of which may lead to spina bifida.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lee A. Niswander
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
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15
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Gattoni G, Andrews TGR, Benito-Gutiérrez È. Restricted Proliferation During Neurogenesis Contributes to Regionalisation of the Amphioxus Nervous System. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:812223. [PMID: 35401089 PMCID: PMC8987370 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.812223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The central nervous system of the cephalochordate amphioxus consists of a dorsal neural tube with an anterior brain. Two decades of gene expression analyses in developing amphioxus embryos have shown that, despite apparent morphological simplicity, the amphioxus neural tube is highly regionalised at the molecular level. However, little is known about the morphogenetic mechanisms regulating the spatiotemporal emergence of cell types at distinct sites of the neural axis and how their arrangements contribute to the overall neural architecture. In vertebrates, proliferation is key to provide appropriate cell numbers of specific types to particular areas of the nervous system as development proceeds, but in amphioxus proliferation has never been studied at this level of detail, nor in the specific context of neurogenesis. Here, we describe the dynamics of cell division during the formation of the central nervous system in amphioxus embryos, and identify specific regions of the nervous system that depend on proliferation of neuronal precursors at precise time-points for their maturation. By labelling proliferating cells in vivo at specific time points in development, and inhibiting cell division during neurulation, we demonstrate that localised proliferation in the anterior cerebral vesicle is required to establish the full cell type repertoire of the frontal eye complex and the putative hypothalamic region of the amphioxus brain, while posterior proliferating progenitors, which were found here to derive from the dorsal lip of the blastopore, contribute to elongation of the caudal floor plate. Between these proliferative domains, we find that trunk nervous system differentiation is independent from cell division, in which proliferation decreases during neurulation and resumes at the early larval stage. Taken together, our results highlight the importance of proliferation as a tightly controlled mechanism for shaping and regionalising the amphioxus neural axis during development, by addition of new cells fated to particular types, or by influencing tissue geometry.
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16
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Dady A, Davidson L, Halley PA, Storey KG. Human spinal cord in vitro differentiation pace is initially maintained in heterologous embryonic environments. eLife 2022; 11:e67283. [PMID: 35188104 PMCID: PMC8929931 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Species-specific differentiation pace in vitro indicates that some aspects of neural differentiation are governed by cell intrinsic properties. Here we describe a novel in vitro human neural-rosette assay that recapitulates dorsal spinal cord differentiation but proceeds more rapidly than in the human embryo, suggesting that it lacks endogenous signalling dynamics. To test whether in vitro conditions represent an intrinsic differentiation pace, human iPSC-derived neural rosettes were challenged by grafting into the faster differentiating chicken embryonic neural tube iso-chronically, or hetero-chronically into older embryos. In both contexts in vitro differentiation pace was initially unchanged, while long-term analysis revealed iso-chronic slowed and hetero-chronic conditions promoted human neural differentiation. Moreover, hetero-chronic conditions did not alter the human neural differentiation programme, which progressed to neurogenesis, while the host embryo advanced into gliogenesis. This study demonstrates that intrinsic properties limit human differentiation pace, and that timely extrinsic signals are required for progression through an intrinsic human neural differentiation programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alwyn Dady
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Lindsay Davidson
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Pamela A Halley
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Kate G Storey
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
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17
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Sáez M, Blassberg R, Camacho-Aguilar E, Siggia ED, Rand DA, Briscoe J. Statistically derived geometrical landscapes capture principles of decision-making dynamics during cell fate transitions. Cell Syst 2022; 13:12-28.e3. [PMID: 34536382 PMCID: PMC8785827 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2021.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fate decisions in developing tissues involve cells transitioning between discrete cell states, each defined by distinct gene expression profiles. The Waddington landscape, in which the development of a cell is viewed as a ball rolling through a valley filled terrain, is an appealing way to describe differentiation. To construct and validate accurate landscapes, quantitative methods based on experimental data are necessary. We combined principled statistical methods with a framework based on catastrophe theory and approximate Bayesian computation to formulate a quantitative dynamical landscape that accurately predicts cell fate outcomes of pluripotent stem cells exposed to different combinations of signaling factors. Analysis of the landscape revealed two distinct ways in which cells make a binary choice between one of two fates. We suggest that these represent archetypal designs for developmental decisions. The approach is broadly applicable for the quantitative analysis of differentiation and for determining the logic of developmental decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meritxell Sáez
- Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK; Zeeman Institute for Systems Biology and Infectious Epidemiology Research, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | | | - Elena Camacho-Aguilar
- Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Eric D Siggia
- Center for Studies of Physics and Biology, the Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - David A Rand
- Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; Zeeman Institute for Systems Biology and Infectious Epidemiology Research, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
| | - James Briscoe
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK.
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18
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Linde-Medina M, Smit TH. Molecular and Mechanical Cues for Somite Periodicity. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:753446. [PMID: 34901002 PMCID: PMC8663771 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.753446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Somitogenesis refers to the segmentation of the paraxial mesoderm, a tissue located on the back of the embryo, into regularly spaced and sized pieces, i.e., the somites. This periodicity is important to assure, for example, the formation of a functional vertebral column. Prevailing models of somitogenesis are based on the existence of a gene regulatory network capable of generating a striped pattern of gene expression, which is subsequently translated into periodic tissue boundaries. An alternative view is that the pre-pattern that guides somitogenesis is not chemical, but of a mechanical origin. A striped pattern of mechanical strain can be formed in physically connected tissues expanding at different rates, as it occurs in the embryo. Here we argue that both molecular and mechanical cues could drive somite periodicity and suggest how they could be integrated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Theodoor H. Smit
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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19
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Weldon SA, Münsterberg AE. Somite development and regionalisation of the vertebral axial skeleton. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 127:10-16. [PMID: 34690064 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A critical stage in the development of all vertebrate embryos is the generation of the body plan and its subsequent patterning and regionalisation along the main anterior-posterior axis. This includes the formation of the vertebral axial skeleton. Its organisation begins during early embryonic development with the periodic formation of paired blocks of mesoderm tissue called somites. Here, we review axial patterning of somites, with a focus on studies using amniote model systems - avian and mouse. We summarise the molecular and cellular mechanisms that generate paraxial mesoderm and review how the different anatomical regions of the vertebral column acquire their specific identity and thus shape the body plan. We also discuss the generation of organoids and embryo-like structures from embryonic stem cells, which provide insights regarding axis formation and promise to be useful for disease modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon A Weldon
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
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20
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Human ESC-derived Neuromesodermal Progenitors (NMPs) Successfully Differentiate into Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 18:278-293. [PMID: 34669151 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10281-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), as an adult stem cell type, are used to treat various disorders in clinics. However, derivation of homogenous and adequate amount of MSCs limits the regenerative treatment potential. Although mesoderm is the main source of mesenchymal progenitors during embryonic development, neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs), reside in the primitive streak during development, is known to differentiate into paraxial mesoderm. In the current study, we generated NMPs from human embryonic stem cells (hESC), subsequently derived MSCs and characterized this cell population in vitro and in vivo. Using a bFGF and CHIR induced NMP formation protocol followed by serum containing culture conditions; here we show that MSCs can be generated from NMPs identified by not only the expression of T/Bra and Sox 2 but also FLK-1/PDGFRα in our study. NMP-derived MSCs were plastic adherent fibroblast like cells with colony forming capacity and trilineage (osteo-, chondro- and adipo-genic) differentiation potential. In the present study, we demonstrate that NMP-derived MSCs have an endothelial tendency which might be related to their FLK-1+/PDGFRα + NMP origin. NMP-derived MSCs displayed a protein expression profile of characterized MSCs. Growth factor and angiogenesis related pathway proteins were similarly expressed in NMP-derived MSCs and characterized MSCs. NMP-derived MSCs keep characteristics after short-term and long-term freeze-thaw cycles and localized into bone marrow followed by tail vein injection into NOD/SCID mice. Together, these data showed that hESC-derived NMPs might be used as a precursor cell population for MSC derivation and could be used for in vitro and in vivo research.
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21
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Steventon B, Busby L, Arias AM. Establishment of the vertebrate body plan: Rethinking gastrulation through stem cell models of early embryogenesis. Dev Cell 2021; 56:2405-2418. [PMID: 34520764 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
A striking property of vertebrate embryos is the emergence of a conserved body plan across a wide range of organisms through the process of gastrulation. As the body plan unfolds, gene regulatory networks (GRNs) and multicellular interactions (cell regulatory networks, CRNs) combine to generate a conserved set of morphogenetic events that lead to the phylotypic stage. Interrogation of these multilevel interactions requires manipulation of the mechanical environment, which is difficult in vivo. We review recent studies of stem cell models of early embryogenesis from different species showing that, independent of species origin, cells in culture form similar structures. The main difference between embryos and in vitro models is the boundary conditions of the multicellular ensembles. We discuss these observations and suggest that the mechanical and geometric boundary conditions of different embryos before gastrulation hide a morphogenetic ground state that is revealed in the stem-cell-based models of embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lara Busby
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Alfonso Martinez Arias
- Systems Bioengineering, DCEXS, Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Doctor Aiguader, 88 ICREA, Pag Lluis Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain.
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22
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A TALE/HOX code unlocks WNT signalling response towards paraxial mesoderm. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5136. [PMID: 34446717 PMCID: PMC8390530 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25370-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
One fundamental yet unresolved question in biology remains how cells interpret the same signalling cues in a context-dependent manner resulting in lineage specification. A key step for decoding signalling cues is the establishment of a permissive chromatin environment at lineage-specific genes triggering transcriptional responses to inductive signals. For instance, bipotent neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) are equipped with a WNT-decoding module, which relies on TCFs/LEF activity to sustain both NMP expansion and paraxial mesoderm differentiation. However, how WNT signalling activates lineage specific genes in a temporal manner remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that paraxial mesoderm induction relies on the TALE/HOX combinatorial activity that simultaneously represses NMP genes and activates the differentiation program. We identify the BRACHYURY-TALE/HOX code that destabilizes the nucleosomes at WNT-responsive regions and establishes the permissive chromatin landscape for de novo recruitment of the WNT-effector LEF1, unlocking the WNT-mediated transcriptional program that drives NMPs towards the paraxial mesodermal fate. Cells in the developing embryo interpret WNT signalling with context-dependence, but the mechanism decoding these cues is unclear. Here, the authors show that combinatorial TALE/HOX activity destabilizes nucleosomes at WNT-responsive regions to activate paraxial mesodermal genes.
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23
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From Bipotent Neuromesodermal Progenitors to Neural-Mesodermal Interactions during Embryonic Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179141. [PMID: 34502050 PMCID: PMC8431582 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
To ensure the formation of a properly patterned embryo, multiple processes must operate harmoniously at sequential phases of development. This is implemented by mutual interactions between cells and tissues that together regulate the segregation and specification of cells, their growth and morphogenesis. The formation of the spinal cord and paraxial mesoderm derivatives exquisitely illustrate these processes. Following early gastrulation, while the vertebrate body elongates, a population of bipotent neuromesodermal progenitors resident in the posterior region of the embryo generate both neural and mesodermal lineages. At later stages, the somitic mesoderm regulates aspects of neural patterning and differentiation of both central and peripheral neural progenitors. Reciprocally, neural precursors influence the paraxial mesoderm to regulate somite-derived myogenesis and additional processes by distinct mechanisms. Central to this crosstalk is the activity of the axial notochord, which, via sonic hedgehog signaling, plays pivotal roles in neural, skeletal muscle and cartilage ontogeny. Here, we discuss the cellular and molecular basis underlying this complex developmental plan, with a focus on the logic of sonic hedgehog activities in the coordination of the neural-mesodermal axis.
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24
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Abstract
The axial skeleton of all vertebrates is composed of individual units known as vertebrae. Each vertebra has individual anatomical attributes, yet they can be classified in five different groups, namely cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and caudal, according to shared characteristics and their association with specific body areas. Variations in vertebral number, size, morphological features and their distribution amongst the different regions of the vertebral column are a major source of the anatomical diversity observed among vertebrates. In this review I will discuss the impact of those variations on the anatomy of different vertebrate species and provide insights into the genetic origin of some remarkable morphological traits that often serve to classify phylogenetic branches or individual species, like the long trunks of snakes or the long necks of giraffes.
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25
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Ye Z, Braden CR, Wills A, Kimelman D. Identification of in vivo Hox13-binding sites reveals an essential locus controlling zebrafish brachyury expression. Development 2021; 148:268973. [PMID: 34061173 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
During early embryogenesis, the vertebrate embryo extends from anterior to posterior because of the progressive addition of cells from a posteriorly localized neuromesodermal progenitor (NMp) population. An autoregulatory loop between Wnt and Brachyury/Tbxt is required for NMps to retain mesodermal potential and, hence, normal axis development. We recently showed that Hox13 genes help to support body axis formation and to maintain the autoregulatory loop, although the direct Hox13 target genes were unknown. Here, using a new method for identifying in vivo transcription factor-binding sites, we identified more than 500 potential Hox13 target genes in zebrafish. Importantly, we found two highly conserved Hox13-binding elements far from the tbxta transcription start site that also contain a conserved Tcf7/Lef1 (Wnt response) site. We show that the proximal of the two elements is sufficient to confer somitogenesis-stage expression to a tbxta promoter that, on its own, only drives NMp expression during gastrulation. Importantly, elimination of this proximal element produces shortened embryos due to aberrant formation of the most posterior somites. Our study provides a potential direct connection between Hox13 and regulation of the Wnt/Brachyury loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Ye
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7350, USA
| | - Christopher R Braden
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7350, USA
| | - Andrea Wills
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7350, USA
| | - David Kimelman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7350, USA
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26
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Hudson C, Yasuo H. Neuromesodermal Lineage Contribution to CNS Development in Invertebrate and Vertebrate Chordates. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040592. [PMID: 33920662 PMCID: PMC8073528 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascidians are invertebrate chordates and the closest living relative to vertebrates. In ascidian embryos a large part of the central nervous system arises from cells associated with mesoderm rather than ectoderm lineages. This seems at odds with the traditional view of vertebrate nervous system development which was thought to be induced from ectoderm cells, initially with anterior character and later transformed by posteriorizing signals, to generate the entire anterior-posterior axis of the central nervous system. Recent advances in vertebrate developmental biology, however, show that much of the posterior central nervous system, or spinal cord, in fact arises from cells that share a common origin with mesoderm. This indicates a conserved role for bi-potential neuromesoderm precursors in chordate CNS formation. However, the boundary between neural tissue arising from these distinct neural lineages does not appear to be fixed, which leads to the notion that anterior-posterior patterning and neural fate formation can evolve independently.
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27
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Sambasivan R, Steventon B. Neuromesodermal Progenitors: A Basis for Robust Axial Patterning in Development and Evolution. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:607516. [PMID: 33520989 PMCID: PMC7843932 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.607516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
During early development the vertebrate embryo elongates through a combination of tissue shape change, growth and progenitor cell expansion across multiple regions of the body axis. How these events are coordinated across the length of the embryo to generate a well-proportioned body axis is unknown. Understanding the multi-tissue interplay of morphogenesis, growth and cell fate specification is essential for us to gain a complete understanding how diverse body plans have evolved in a robust manner. Within the posterior region of the embryo, a population of bipotent neuromesodermal progenitors generate both spinal cord and paraxial mesoderm derivatives during the elongation of the vertebrate body. Here we summarize recent data comparing neuromesodermal lineage and their underlying gene-regulatory networks between species and through development. We find that the common characteristic underlying this population is a competence to generate posterior neural and paraxial mesoderm cells, with a conserved Wnt/FGF and Sox2/T/Tbx6 regulatory network. We propose the hypothesis that by maintaining a population of multi-germ layer competent progenitors at the posterior aspect of the embryo, a flexible pool of progenitors is maintained whose contribution to the elongating body axis varies as a consequence of the relative growth rates occurring within anterior and posterior regions of the body axis. We discuss how this capacity for variation in the proportions and rates of NM specification might have been important allowing for alterations in the timing of embryo growth during evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramkumar Sambasivan
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Tirupati, India
| | - Benjamin Steventon
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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28
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Guibentif C, Griffiths JA, Imaz-Rosshandler I, Ghazanfar S, Nichols J, Wilson V, Göttgens B, Marioni JC. Diverse Routes toward Early Somites in the Mouse Embryo. Dev Cell 2021; 56:141-153.e6. [PMID: 33308481 PMCID: PMC7808755 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Somite formation is foundational to creating the vertebrate segmental body plan. Here, we describe three transcriptional trajectories toward somite formation in the early mouse embryo. Precursors of the anterior-most somites ingress through the primitive streak before E7 and migrate anteriorly by E7.5, while a second wave of more posterior somites develops in the vicinity of the streak. Finally, neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) are set aside for subsequent trunk somitogenesis. Single-cell profiling of T-/- chimeric embryos shows that the anterior somites develop in the absence of T and suggests a cell-autonomous function of T as a gatekeeper between paraxial mesoderm production and the building of the NMP pool. Moreover, we identify putative regulators of early T-independent somites and challenge the T-Sox2 cross-antagonism model in early NMPs. Our study highlights the concept of molecular flexibility during early cell-type specification, with broad relevance for pluripotent stem cell differentiation and disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Guibentif
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, CB2 0AW Cambridge, UK; Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 0AW Cambridge, UK; Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Gothenburg, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jonathan A Griffiths
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 0RE Cambridge, UK
| | - Ivan Imaz-Rosshandler
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, CB2 0AW Cambridge, UK; Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 0AW Cambridge, UK
| | - Shila Ghazanfar
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 0RE Cambridge, UK
| | - Jennifer Nichols
- Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 0AW Cambridge, UK; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, CB2 3DY Cambridge, UK
| | - Valerie Wilson
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of the Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, EH16 4UU Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Berthold Göttgens
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, CB2 0AW Cambridge, UK; Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 0AW Cambridge, UK.
| | - John C Marioni
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, CB2 0RE Cambridge, UK; Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, CB10 1SA Cambridge, UK; European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, CB10 1SD Cambridge, UK.
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29
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Ye Z, Kimelman D. Hox13 genes are required for mesoderm formation and axis elongation during early zebrafish development. Development 2020; 147:dev.185298. [PMID: 33154036 DOI: 10.1242/dev.185298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The early vertebrate embryo extends from anterior to posterior due to the addition of neural and mesodermal cells from a neuromesodermal progenitor (NMp) population located at the most posterior end of the embryo. In order to produce mesoderm throughout this time, the NMps produce their own niche, which is high in Wnt and low in retinoic acid. Using a loss-of-function approach, we demonstrate here that the two most abundant Hox13 genes in zebrafish have a novel role in providing robustness to the NMp niche by working in concert with the niche-establishing factor Brachyury to allow mesoderm formation. Mutants lacking both hoxa13b and hoxd13a in combination with reduced Brachyury activity have synergistic posterior body defects, in the strongest case producing embryos with severe mesodermal defects that phenocopy brachyury null mutants. Our results provide a new way of understanding the essential role of the Hox13 genes in early vertebrate development.This article has an associated 'The people behind the papers' interview.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Ye
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7350, USA
| | - David Kimelman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7350, USA
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30
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Rocha M, Beiriger A, Kushkowski EE, Miyashita T, Singh N, Venkataraman V, Prince VE. From head to tail: regionalization of the neural crest. Development 2020; 147:dev193888. [PMID: 33106325 PMCID: PMC7648597 DOI: 10.1242/dev.193888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The neural crest is regionalized along the anteroposterior axis, as demonstrated by foundational lineage-tracing experiments that showed the restricted developmental potential of neural crest cells originating in the head. Here, we explore how recent studies of experimental embryology, genetic circuits and stem cell differentiation have shaped our understanding of the mechanisms that establish axial-specific populations of neural crest cells. Additionally, we evaluate how comparative, anatomical and genomic approaches have informed our current understanding of the evolution of the neural crest and its contribution to the vertebrate body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Rocha
- Committee on Development, Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Anastasia Beiriger
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Elaine E Kushkowski
- Committee on Development, Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Tetsuto Miyashita
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, ON K1P 6P4, Canada
| | - Noor Singh
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Vishruth Venkataraman
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Victoria E Prince
- Committee on Development, Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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31
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Shaker MR, Lee JH, Park SH, Kim JY, Son GH, Son JW, Park BH, Rhyu IJ, Kim H, Sun W. Anteroposterior Wnt-RA Gradient Defines Adhesion and Migration Properties of Neural Progenitors in Developing Spinal Cord. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 15:898-911. [PMID: 32976767 PMCID: PMC7562945 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian embryos exhibit a transition from head morphogenesis to trunk elongation to meet the demand of axial elongation. The caudal neural tube (NT) is formed with neural progenitors (NPCs) derived from neuromesodermal progenitors localized at the tail tip. However, the molecular and cellular basis of elongating NT morphogenesis is yet elusive. Here, we provide evidence that caudal NPCs exhibit strong adhesion affinity that is gradually decreased along the anteroposterior (AP) axis in mouse embryonic spinal cord and human cellular models. Strong cell-cell adhesion causes collective migration, allowing AP alignment of NPCs depending on their birthdate. We further validated that this axial adhesion gradient is associated with the extracellular matrix and is under the control of graded Wnt signaling emanating from tail buds and antagonistic retinoic acid (RA) signaling. These results suggest that progressive reduction of NPC adhesion along the AP axis is under the control of Wnt-RA molecular networks, which is essential for a proper elongation of the spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed R Shaker
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Korea; Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ju-Hyun Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Si-Hyung Park
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Joo Yeon Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Gi Hoon Son
- Department of Legal Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Jong Wan Son
- Division of Quantum Phases and Devices, Department of Physics, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Bae Ho Park
- Division of Quantum Phases and Devices, Department of Physics, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Im Joo Rhyu
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Woong Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, Korea.
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32
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Dias A, Lozovska A, Wymeersch FJ, Nóvoa A, Binagui-Casas A, Sobral D, Martins GG, Wilson V, Mallo M. A Tgfbr1/Snai1-dependent developmental module at the core of vertebrate axial elongation. eLife 2020; 9:56615. [PMID: 32597756 PMCID: PMC7324159 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Formation of the vertebrate postcranial body axis follows two sequential but distinct phases. The first phase generates pre-sacral structures (the so-called primary body) through the activity of the primitive streak on axial progenitors within the epiblast. The embryo then switches to generate the secondary body (post-sacral structures), which depends on axial progenitors in the tail bud. Here we show that the mammalian tail bud is generated through an independent functional developmental module, concurrent but functionally different from that generating the primary body. This module is triggered by convergent Tgfbr1 and Snai1 activities that promote an incomplete epithelial to mesenchymal transition on a subset of epiblast axial progenitors. This EMT is functionally different from that coordinated by the primitive streak, as it does not lead to mesodermal differentiation but brings axial progenitors into a transitory state, keeping their progenitor activity to drive further axial body extension.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Dias
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | | | - Filip J Wymeersch
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Nóvoa
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Anahi Binagui-Casas
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Gabriel G Martins
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal.,Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Valerie Wilson
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Moises Mallo
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
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33
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Kuzmicz-Kowalska K, Kicheva A. Regulation of size and scale in vertebrate spinal cord development. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2020; 10:e383. [PMID: 32391980 PMCID: PMC8244110 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
All vertebrates have a spinal cord with dimensions and shape specific to their species. Yet how species‐specific organ size and shape are achieved is a fundamental unresolved question in biology. The formation and sculpting of organs begins during embryonic development. As it develops, the spinal cord extends in anterior–posterior direction in synchrony with the overall growth of the body. The dorsoventral (DV) and apicobasal lengths of the spinal cord neuroepithelium also change, while at the same time a characteristic pattern of neural progenitor subtypes along the DV axis is established and elaborated. At the basis of these changes in tissue size and shape are biophysical determinants, such as the change in cell number, cell size and shape, and anisotropic tissue growth. These processes are controlled by global tissue‐scale regulators, such as morphogen signaling gradients as well as mechanical forces. Current challenges in the field are to uncover how these tissue‐scale regulatory mechanisms are translated to the cellular and molecular level, and how regulation of distinct cellular processes gives rise to an overall defined size. Addressing these questions will help not only to achieve a better understanding of how size is controlled, but also of how tissue size is coordinated with the specification of pattern. This article is categorized under:Establishment of Spatial and Temporal Patterns > Regulation of Size, Proportion, and Timing Signaling Pathways > Global Signaling Mechanisms Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: General Principles
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34
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Vyas B, Nandkishore N, Sambasivan R. Vertebrate cranial mesoderm: developmental trajectory and evolutionary origin. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:1933-1945. [PMID: 31722070 PMCID: PMC11105048 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03373-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Vertebrate cranial mesoderm is a discrete developmental unit compared to the mesoderm below the developing neck. An extraordinary feature of the cranial mesoderm is that it includes a common progenitor pool contributing to the chambered heart and the craniofacial skeletal muscles. This striking developmental potential and the excitement it generated led to advances in our understanding of cranial mesoderm developmental mechanism. Remarkably, recent findings have begun to unravel the origin of its distinct developmental characteristics. Here, we take a detailed view of the ontogenetic trajectory of cranial mesoderm and its regulatory network. Based on the emerging evidence, we propose that cranial and posterior mesoderm diverge at the earliest step of the process that patterns the mesoderm germ layer along the anterior-posterior body axis. Further, we discuss the latest evidence and their impact on our current understanding of the evolutionary origin of cranial mesoderm. Overall, the review highlights the findings from contemporary research, which lays the foundation to probe the molecular basis of unique developmental potential and evolutionary origin of cranial mesoderm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhakti Vyas
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, GKVK Campus, Bellary Road, Bengaluru, 560065, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - Nitya Nandkishore
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, GKVK Campus, Bellary Road, Bengaluru, 560065, India
- SASTRA University, Thirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur, 613401, India
| | - Ramkumar Sambasivan
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Transit Campus, Karakambadi Road, Rami Reddy Nagar, Mangalam, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517507, India.
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35
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Roberts C. Regulating Retinoic Acid Availability during Development and Regeneration: The Role of the CYP26 Enzymes. J Dev Biol 2020; 8:jdb8010006. [PMID: 32151018 PMCID: PMC7151129 DOI: 10.3390/jdb8010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on the role of the Cytochrome p450 subfamily 26 (CYP26) retinoic acid (RA) degrading enzymes during development and regeneration. Cyp26 enzymes, along with retinoic acid synthesising enzymes, are absolutely required for RA homeostasis in these processes by regulating availability of RA for receptor binding and signalling. Cyp26 enzymes are necessary to generate RA gradients and to protect specific tissues from RA signalling. Disruption of RA homeostasis leads to a wide variety of embryonic defects affecting many tissues. Here, the function of CYP26 enzymes is discussed in the context of the RA signalling pathway, enzymatic structure and biochemistry, human genetic disease, and function in development and regeneration as elucidated from animal model studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Roberts
- Developmental Biology of Birth Defects, UCL-GOS Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford St, London WC1N 1EH, UK;
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education St George’s, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London SW17 0RE, UK
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36
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Mallo M. The vertebrate tail: a gene playground for evolution. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:1021-1030. [PMID: 31559446 PMCID: PMC11104866 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03311-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The tail of all vertebrates, regardless of size and anatomical detail, derive from a post-anal extension of the embryo known as the tail bud. Formation, growth and differentiation of this structure are closely associated with the activity of a group of cells that derive from the axial progenitors that build the spinal cord and the muscle-skeletal case of the trunk. Gdf11 activity switches the development of these progenitors from a trunk to a tail bud mode by changing the regulatory network that controls their growth and differentiation potential. Recent work in the mouse indicates that the tail bud regulatory network relies on the interconnected activities of the Lin28/let-7 axis and the Hox13 genes. As this network is likely to be conserved in other mammals, it is possible that the final length and anatomical composition of the adult tail result from the balance between the progenitor-promoting and -repressing activities provided by those genes. This balance might also determine the functional characteristics of the adult tail. Particularly relevant is its regeneration potential, intimately linked to the spinal cord. In mammals, known for their complete inability to regenerate the tail, the spinal cord is removed from the embryonic tail at late stages of development through a Hox13-dependent mechanism. In contrast, the tail of salamanders and lizards keep a functional spinal cord that actively guides the tail's regeneration process. I will argue that the distinct molecular networks controlling tail bud development provided a collection of readily accessible gene networks that were co-opted and combined during evolution either to end the active life of those progenitors or to make them generate the wide diversity of tail shapes and sizes observed among vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Mallo
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande 6, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal.
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37
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Draut H, Liebenstein T, Begemann G. New Insights into the Control of Cell Fate Choices and Differentiation by Retinoic Acid in Cranial, Axial and Caudal Structures. Biomolecules 2019; 9:E860. [PMID: 31835881 PMCID: PMC6995509 DOI: 10.3390/biom9120860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA) signaling is an important regulator of chordate development. RA binds to nuclear RA receptors that control the transcriptional activity of target genes. Controlled local degradation of RA by enzymes of the Cyp26a gene family contributes to the establishment of transient RA signaling gradients that control patterning, cell fate decisions and differentiation. Several steps in the lineage leading to the induction and differentiation of neuromesodermal progenitors and bone-producing osteogenic cells are controlled by RA. Changes to RA signaling activity have effects on the formation of the bones of the skull, the vertebrae and the development of teeth and regeneration of fin rays in fish. This review focuses on recent advances in these areas, with predominant emphasis on zebrafish, and highlights previously unknown roles for RA signaling in developmental processes.
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38
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Tahara N, Kawakami H, Chen KQ, Anderson A, Yamashita Peterson M, Gong W, Shah P, Hayashi S, Nishinakamura R, Nakagawa Y, Garry DJ, Kawakami Y. Sall4 regulates neuromesodermal progenitors and their descendants during body elongation in mouse embryos. Development 2019; 146:dev.177659. [PMID: 31235634 DOI: 10.1242/dev.177659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Bi-potential neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) produce both neural and paraxial mesodermal progenitors in the trunk and tail during vertebrate body elongation. We show that Sall4, a pluripotency-related transcription factor gene, has multiple roles in regulating NMPs and their descendants in post-gastrulation mouse embryos. Sall4 deletion using TCre caused body/tail truncation, reminiscent of early depletion of NMPs, suggesting a role of Sall4 in NMP maintenance. This phenotype became significant at the time of the trunk-to-tail transition, suggesting that Sall4 maintenance of NMPs enables tail formation. Sall4 mutants exhibit expanded neural and reduced mesodermal tissues, indicating a role of Sall4 in NMP differentiation balance. Mechanistically, we show that Sall4 promotion of WNT/β-catenin signaling contributes to NMP maintenance and differentiation balance. RNA-Seq and SALL4 ChIP-Seq analyses support the notion that Sall4 regulates both mesodermal and neural development. Furthermore, in the mesodermal compartment, genes regulating presomitic mesoderm differentiation are downregulated in Sall4 mutants. In the neural compartment, we show that differentiation of NMPs towards post-mitotic neuron is accelerated in Sall4 mutants. Our results collectively provide evidence supporting the role of Sall4 in regulating NMPs and their descendants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoyuki Tahara
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, 2001 6th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.,Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Hiroko Kawakami
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, 2001 6th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.,Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Katherine Q Chen
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Aaron Anderson
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Malina Yamashita Peterson
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Wuming Gong
- Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, 2231 6th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Pruthvi Shah
- Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, 2231 6th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Shinichi Hayashi
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, 2001 6th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.,Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Ryuichi Nishinakamura
- Department of Kidney Development, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan 860-0811
| | - Yasushi Nakagawa
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, 2001 6th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.,Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Daniel J Garry
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, 2001 6th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.,Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.,Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, 2231 6th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.,Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, University of Minnesota, 516 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Yasuhiko Kawakami
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA .,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, 2001 6th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.,Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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39
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Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA), a metabolite of retinol (vitamin A), functions as a ligand for nuclear RA receptors (RARs) that regulate development of chordate animals. RA-RARs can activate or repress transcription of key developmental genes. Genetic studies in mouse and zebrafish embryos that are deficient in RA-generating enzymes or RARs have been instrumental in identifying RA functions, revealing that RA signaling regulates development of many organs and tissues, including the body axis, spinal cord, forelimbs, heart, eye and reproductive tract. An understanding of the normal functions of RA signaling during development will guide efforts for use of RA as a therapeutic agent to improve human health. Here, we provide an overview of RA signaling and highlight its key functions during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert B Ghyselinck
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Gregg Duester
- Development, Aging, and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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40
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Edri S, Hayward P, Jawaid W, Martinez Arias A. Neuro-mesodermal progenitors (NMPs): a comparative study between pluripotent stem cells and embryo-derived populations. Development 2019; 146:dev180190. [PMID: 31152001 PMCID: PMC6602346 DOI: 10.1242/dev.180190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian embryo's caudal lateral epiblast (CLE) harbours bipotent progenitors, called neural mesodermal progenitors (NMPs), that contribute to the spinal cord and the paraxial mesoderm throughout axial elongation. Here, we performed a single cell analysis of different in vitro NMP populations produced either from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) and compared them with E8.25 CLE mouse embryos. In our analysis of this region, our findings challenge the notion that NMPs can be defined by the exclusive co-expression of Sox2 and T at mRNA level. We analyse the in vitro NMP-like populations using a purpose-built support vector machine (SVM) based on the embryo CLE and use it as a classification model to compare the in vivo and in vitro populations. Our results show that NMP differentiation from ESCs leads to heterogeneous progenitor populations with few NMP-like cells, as defined by the SVM algorithm, whereas starting with EpiSCs yields a high proportion of cells with the embryo NMP signature. We find that the population from which the Epi-NMPs are derived in culture contains a node-like population, which suggests that this population probably maintains the expression of T in vitro and thereby a source of NMPs. In conclusion, differentiation of EpiSCs into NMPs reproduces events in vivo and suggests a sequence of events for the emergence of the NMP population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shlomit Edri
- Department of Genetics, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Penelope Hayward
- Department of Genetics, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Wajid Jawaid
- Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 2XY, UK
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
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41
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Edri S, Hayward P, Baillie-Johnson P, Steventon BJ, Martinez Arias A. An epiblast stem cell-derived multipotent progenitor population for axial extension. Development 2019; 146:dev.168187. [PMID: 31023877 DOI: 10.1242/dev.168187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The caudal lateral epiblast of mammalian embryos harbours bipotent progenitors that contribute to the spinal cord and the paraxial mesoderm in concert with the body axis elongation. These progenitors, called neural mesodermal progenitors (NMPs), are identified as cells that co-express Sox2 and T/brachyury, a criterion used to derive NMP-like cells from embryonic stem cells in vitro However, unlike embryonic NMPs, these progenitors do not self-renew. Here, we find that the protocols that yield NMP-like cells in vitro initially produce a multipotent population that, in addition to NMPs, generates progenitors for the lateral plate and intermediate mesoderm. We show that epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) are an effective source of these multipotent progenitors, which are further differentiated by a balance between BMP and Nodal signalling. Importantly, we show that NMP-like cells derived from EpiSCs exhibit limited self-renewal in vitro and a gene expression signature like their embryonic counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shlomit Edri
- Department of Genetics, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Penny Hayward
- Department of Genetics, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Peter Baillie-Johnson
- Department of Genetics, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Benjamin J Steventon
- Department of Genetics, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
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42
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Aires R, de Lemos L, Nóvoa A, Jurberg AD, Mascrez B, Duboule D, Mallo M. Tail Bud Progenitor Activity Relies on a Network Comprising Gdf11, Lin28, and Hox13 Genes. Dev Cell 2019; 48:383-395.e8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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43
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Reassessing the Role of Hox Genes during Vertebrate Development and Evolution. Trends Genet 2018; 34:209-217. [PMID: 29269261 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Since their discovery Hox genes have been at the core of the established models explaining the development and evolution of the vertebrate body plan as well as its paired appendages. Recent work brought new light to their role in the patterning processes along the main body axis. These studies show that Hox genes do not control the basic layout of the vertebrate body plan but carry out region-specific patterning instructions loaded on the derivatives of axial progenitors by Hox-independent processes. Furthermore, the finding that Hox clusters are embedded in functional chromatin domains, which critically impacts their expression, has significantly altered our understanding of the mechanisms of Hox gene regulation. This new conceptual framework has broadened our understanding of both limb development and the evolution of vertebrate paired appendages.
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44
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Baillie-Johnson P, Voiculescu O, Hayward P, Steventon B. The Chick Caudolateral Epiblast Acts as a Permissive Niche for Generating Neuromesodermal Progenitor Behaviours. Cells Tissues Organs 2018; 205:320-330. [PMID: 30517924 PMCID: PMC6469839 DOI: 10.1159/000494769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromesodermal progenitors (NMps) are a population of bipotent progenitors that maintain competence to generate both spinal cord and paraxial mesoderm throughout the elongation of the posterior body axis. Recent studies have generated populations of NMp-like cells in culture, which have been shown to differentiate to both neural and mesodermal cell fates when transplanted into either mouse or chick embryos. Here, we aim to compare the potential of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived progenitor populations to generate NMp behaviour against both undifferentiated and differentiated populations. We define NMp behaviour as the ability of cells to: (i) contribute to a significant proportion of the anterior-posterior body axis, (ii) enter into both posterior neural and somitic compartments, and (iii) retain a proportion of the progenitor population within the posterior growth zone. We compare previously identified ES cell-derived NMp-like populations to undifferentiated mouse ES cells and find that they all display similar potentials to generate NMp behaviour in vivo. To assess whether this competence is lost upon further differentiation, we generated anterior and posterior embryonic cell types through the generation of 3D gastruloids and show that NMp competence is lost within the anterior (Brachyury-negative) portion of the gastruloid. Together this suggests that in vitro-derived NMp-like cells maintain an ability to contribute to multiple germ layers that is also present within pluripotent ES cells, rather than acquiring a neuromesodermal competent state through differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Baillie-Johnson
- Wellcome - Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Octavian Voiculescu
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Penny Hayward
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Steventon
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom,
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45
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Attardi A, Fulton T, Florescu M, Shah G, Muresan L, Lenz MO, Lancaster C, Huisken J, van Oudenaarden A, Steventon B. Neuromesodermal progenitors are a conserved source of spinal cord with divergent growth dynamics. Development 2018; 145:dev166728. [PMID: 30333213 PMCID: PMC6240315 DOI: 10.1242/dev.166728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
During gastrulation, embryonic cells become specified into distinct germ layers. In mouse, this continues throughout somitogenesis from a population of bipotent stem cells called neuromesodermal progenitors (NMps). However, the degree of self-renewal associated with NMps in the fast-developing zebrafish embryo is unclear. Using a genetic clone-tracing method, we labelled early embryonic progenitors and found a strong clonal similarity between spinal cord and mesoderm tissues. We followed individual cell lineages using light-sheet imaging, revealing a common neuromesodermal lineage contribution to a subset of spinal cord tissue across the anterior-posterior body axis. An initial population subdivides at mid-gastrula stages and is directly allocated to neural and mesodermal compartments during gastrulation. A second population in the tailbud undergoes delayed allocation to contribute to the neural and mesodermal compartment only at late somitogenesis. Cell tracking and retrospective cell fate assignment at late somitogenesis stages reveal these cells to be a collection of mono-fated progenitors. Our results suggest that NMps are a conserved population of bipotential progenitors, the lineage of which varies in a species-specific manner due to vastly different rates of differentiation and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Attardi
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden 01307, Germany
- STEBICEF Department, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo 90133, Italy
| | - Timothy Fulton
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | | | - Gopi Shah
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden 01307, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Carrer del Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leila Muresan
- Cambridge Advanced Imaging Centre, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Martin O Lenz
- Cambridge Advanced Imaging Centre, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | | | - Jan Huisken
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden 01307, Germany
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI 53715, USA
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46
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Rodrigo Albors A, Halley PA, Storey KG. Lineage tracing of axial progenitors using Nkx1-2CreER T2 mice defines their trunk and tail contributions. Development 2018; 145:dev.164319. [PMID: 30201686 PMCID: PMC6198475 DOI: 10.1242/dev.164319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The vertebrate body forms by continuous generation of new tissue from progenitors at the posterior end of the embryo. The study of these axial progenitors has proved to be challenging in vivo largely because of the lack of unique molecular markers to identify them. Here, we elucidate the expression pattern of the transcription factor Nkx1-2 in the mouse embryo and show that it identifies axial progenitors throughout body axis elongation, including neuromesodermal progenitors and early neural and mesodermal progenitors. We create a tamoxifen-inducible Nkx1-2CreERT2 transgenic mouse and exploit the conditional nature of this line to uncover the lineage contributions of Nkx1-2-expressing cells at specific stages. We show that early Nkx1-2-expressing epiblast cells contribute to all three germ layers, mostly neuroectoderm and mesoderm, excluding notochord. Our data are consistent with the presence of some self-renewing axial progenitors that continue to generate neural and mesoderm tissues from the tail bud. This study identifies Nkx1-2-expressing cells as the source of most trunk and tail tissues in the mouse and provides a useful tool to genetically label and manipulate axial progenitors in vivo. Summary: Changing lineage contributions of axial progenitors to the developing mouse embryo are revealed using a tamoxifen-inducible Cre line under the control of the endogenous Nkx1-2 promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Rodrigo Albors
- Neural Development Group, Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Pamela A Halley
- Neural Development Group, Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Kate G Storey
- Neural Development Group, Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
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47
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Frith TJ, Granata I, Wind M, Stout E, Thompson O, Neumann K, Stavish D, Heath PR, Ortmann D, Hackland JO, Anastassiadis K, Gouti M, Briscoe J, Wilson V, Johnson SL, Placzek M, Guarracino MR, Andrews PW, Tsakiridis A. Human axial progenitors generate trunk neural crest cells in vitro. eLife 2018; 7:35786. [PMID: 30095409 PMCID: PMC6101942 DOI: 10.7554/elife.35786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The neural crest (NC) is a multipotent embryonic cell population that generates distinct cell types in an axial position-dependent manner. The production of NC cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is a valuable approach to study human NC biology. However, the origin of human trunk NC remains undefined and current in vitro differentiation strategies induce only a modest yield of trunk NC cells. Here we show that hPSC-derived axial progenitors, the posteriorly-located drivers of embryonic axis elongation, give rise to trunk NC cells and their derivatives. Moreover, we define the molecular signatures associated with the emergence of human NC cells of distinct axial identities in vitro. Collectively, our findings indicate that there are two routes toward a human post-cranial NC state: the birth of cardiac and vagal NC is facilitated by retinoic acid-induced posteriorisation of an anterior precursor whereas trunk NC arises within a pool of posterior axial progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Jr Frith
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Ilaria Granata
- Computational and Data Science Laboratory, High Performance Computing and Networking Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Napoli, Italy
| | - Matthew Wind
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Erin Stout
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Thompson
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Katrin Neumann
- Stem Cell Engineering, Biotechnology Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Dylan Stavish
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Paul R Heath
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Ortmann
- Anne McLaren Laboratory, Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - James Os Hackland
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mina Gouti
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Valerie Wilson
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart L Johnson
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Marysia Placzek
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,The Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Mario R Guarracino
- Computational and Data Science Laboratory, High Performance Computing and Networking Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Napoli, Italy
| | - Peter W Andrews
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Anestis Tsakiridis
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.,The Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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48
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Berenguer M, Lancman JJ, Cunningham TJ, Dong PDS, Duester G. Mouse but not zebrafish requires retinoic acid for control of neuromesodermal progenitors and body axis extension. Dev Biol 2018; 441:127-131. [PMID: 29964026 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In mouse, retinoic acid (RA) is required for the early phase of body axis extension controlled by a population of neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) in the trunk called expanding-NMPs, but not for the later phase of body axis extension controlled by a population of NMPs in the tail called depleting-NMPs. Recent observations suggest that zebrafish utilize depleting-NMPs but not expanding-NMPs for body axis extension. In zebrafish, a role for RA in body axis extension was not supported by previous studies on aldh1a2 (raldh2) mutants lacking RA synthesis. Here, by treating zebrafish embryos with an RA synthesis inhibitor, we also found that body axis extension and somitogenesis was not perturbed, although loss of pectoral fin and cardiac edema were observed consistent with previous studies. The conclusion that zebrafish diverges from mouse in not requiring RA for body axis extension is consistent with zebrafish lacking early expanding-NMPs to generate the trunk. We suggest that RA control of body axis extension was added to higher vertebrates during evolution of expanding-NMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Berenguer
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Joseph J Lancman
- Human Genetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Thomas J Cunningham
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - P Duc Si Dong
- Human Genetics Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Gregg Duester
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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49
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Abstract
Organizers, which comprise groups of cells with the ability to instruct adjacent cells into specific states, represent a key principle in developmental biology. The concept was first introduced by Spemann and Mangold, who showed that there is a cellular population in the newt embryo that elicits the development of a secondary axis from adjacent cells. Similar experiments in chicken and rabbit embryos subsequently revealed groups of cells with similar instructive potential. In birds and mammals, organizer activity is often associated with a structure known as the node, which has thus been considered a functional homologue of Spemann's organizer. Here, we take an in-depth look at the structure and function of organizers across species and note that, whereas the amphibian organizer is a contingent collection of elements, each performing a specific function, the elements of organizers in other species are dispersed in time and space. This observation urges us to reconsider the universality and meaning of the organizer concept. Summary: This Review re-evaluates the notion of Spemann's organizer as identified in amphibians, highlighting the spatiotemporal dispersion of equivalent elements in mouse and the key influence of responsiveness to organizer signals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ben Steventon
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
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50
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Abstract
During vertebrate embryonic development, the spinal cord is formed by the neural derivatives of a neuromesodermal population that is specified at early stages of development and which develops in concert with the caudal regression of the primitive streak. Several processes related to spinal cord specification and maturation are coupled to this caudal extension including neurogenesis, ventral patterning and neural crest specification and all of them seem to be crucially regulated by Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) signaling, which is prominently active in the neuromesodermal region and transiently in its derivatives. Here we review the role of FGF signaling in those processes, trying to separate its different functions and highlighting the interactions with other signaling pathways. Finally, these early functions of FGF signaling in spinal cord development may underlay partly its ability to promote regeneration in the lesioned spinal cord as well as its action promoting specific fates in neural stem cell cultures that may be used for therapeutical purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Diez Del Corral
- Department of Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Neurobiology, Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasMadrid, Spain.,Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Centre for the UnknownLisbon, Portugal
| | - Aixa V Morales
- Department of Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Neurobiology, Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasMadrid, Spain
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