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Abstract
Neural crest cells (NCCs) are a dynamic, multipotent, vertebrate-specific population of embryonic stem cells. These ectodermally-derived cells contribute to diverse tissue types in developing embryos including craniofacial bone and cartilage, the peripheral and enteric nervous systems and pigment cells, among a host of other cell types. Due to their contribution to a significant number of adult tissue types, the mechanisms that drive their formation, migration and differentiation are highly studied. NCCs have a unique ability to transition from tightly adherent epithelial cells to mesenchymal and migratory cells by altering their polarity, expression of cell-cell adhesion molecules and gaining invasive abilities. In this Review, we discuss classical and emerging factors driving NCC epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and migration, highlighting the role of signaling and transcription factors, as well as novel modifying factors including chromatin remodelers, small RNAs and post-translational regulators, which control the availability and longevity of major NCC players.
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2
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Monroy BY, Adamson CJ, Camacho-Avila A, Guerzon CN, Echeverria CV, Rogers CD. Expression atlas of avian neural crest proteins: Neurulation to migration. Dev Biol 2022; 483:39-57. [PMID: 34990731 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Neural crest (NC) cells are a dynamic population of embryonic stem cells that create various adult tissues in vertebrate species including craniofacial bone and cartilage and the peripheral and enteric nervous systems. NC development is thought to be a conserved and complex process that is controlled by a tightly-regulated gene regulatory network (GRN) of morphogens, transcription factors, and cell adhesion proteins. While multiple studies have characterized the expression of several GRN factors in single species, a comprehensive protein analysis that directly compares expression across development is lacking. To address this lack in information, we used three closely related avian models, Gallus gallus (chicken), Coturnix japonica (Japanese quail), and Pavo cristatus (Indian peafowl), to compare the localization and timing of four GRN transcription factors, PAX7, SNAI2, SOX9, and SOX10, from the onset of neurulation to migration. While the spatial expression of these factors is largely conserved, we find that quail NC cells express SNAI2, SOX9, and SOX10 proteins at the equivalent of earlier developmental stages than chick and peafowl. In addition, quail NC cells migrate farther and more rapidly than the larger organisms. These data suggest that despite a conservation of NC GRN players, differences in the timing of NC development between species remain a significant frontier to be explored with functional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigette Y Monroy
- Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology Department, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Carly J Adamson
- Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology Department, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Alexis Camacho-Avila
- Department of Biology, California State University Northridge, Northridge, CA, 91330, USA
| | - Christian N Guerzon
- Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology Department, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Camilo V Echeverria
- Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology Department, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Crystal D Rogers
- Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology Department, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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3
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Manohar S, Camacho-Magallanes A, Echeverria C, Rogers CD. Cadherin-11 Is Required for Neural Crest Specification and Survival. Front Physiol 2020; 11:563372. [PMID: 33192560 PMCID: PMC7662130 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.563372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural crest (NC) cells are multipotent embryonic cells that form melanocytes, craniofacial bone and cartilage, and the peripheral nervous system in vertebrates. NC cells express many cadherin proteins, which control their specification, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and mesenchymal to epithelial transition. Abnormal NC development leads to congenital defects including craniofacial clefts as well as NC-derived cancers. Here, we identify the role of the type II cadherin protein, Cadherin-11 (CDH11), in early chicken NC development. CDH11 is known to play a role in NC cell migration in amphibian embryos as well as cell survival, proliferation, and migration in cancer cells. It has also been linked to the complex neurocristopathy disorder, Elsahy-Waters Syndrome, in humans. In this study, we knocked down CDH11 translation at the onset of its expression in the NC domain during NC induction. Loss of CDH11 led to a reduction of bonafide NC cells in the dorsal neural tube combined with defects in cell survival and migration. Loss of CDH11 increased p53-mediated programmed-cell death, and blocking the p53 pathway rescued the NC phenotype. Our findings reveal an early requirement for CDH11 in NC development and demonstrated the complexity of the mechanisms that regulate NC development, where a single cell-cell adhesion protein simultaneous controls multiple essential cellular functions to ensure proper specification, survival, and transition to a migratory phase in the dorsal neural tube. Our findings may also increase our understanding of early cadherin-related NC developmental defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subrajaa Manohar
- Department of Biology, School of Math and Science, California State University Northridge, Northridge, CA, United States
| | - Alberto Camacho-Magallanes
- Department of Biology, School of Math and Science, California State University Northridge, Northridge, CA, United States
| | - Camilo Echeverria
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Crystal D Rogers
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, United States
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4
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Siismets EM, Hatch NE. Cranial Neural Crest Cells and Their Role in the Pathogenesis of Craniofacial Anomalies and Coronal Craniosynostosis. J Dev Biol 2020; 8:jdb8030018. [PMID: 32916911 PMCID: PMC7558351 DOI: 10.3390/jdb8030018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Craniofacial anomalies are among the most common of birth defects. The pathogenesis of craniofacial anomalies frequently involves defects in the migration, proliferation, and fate of neural crest cells destined for the craniofacial skeleton. Genetic mutations causing deficient cranial neural crest migration and proliferation can result in Treacher Collins syndrome, Pierre Robin sequence, and cleft palate. Defects in post-migratory neural crest cells can result in pre- or post-ossification defects in the developing craniofacial skeleton and craniosynostosis (premature fusion of cranial bones/cranial sutures). The coronal suture is the most frequently fused suture in craniosynostosis syndromes. It exists as a biological boundary between the neural crest-derived frontal bone and paraxial mesoderm-derived parietal bone. The objective of this review is to frame our current understanding of neural crest cells in craniofacial development, craniofacial anomalies, and the pathogenesis of coronal craniosynostosis. We will also discuss novel approaches for advancing our knowledge and developing prevention and/or treatment strategies for craniofacial tissue regeneration and craniosynostosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica M. Siismets
- Oral Health Sciences PhD Program, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078, USA;
| | - Nan E. Hatch
- Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-734-647-6567
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5
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Ji Y, Garland MA, Sun B, Zhang S, Reynolds K, McMahon M, Rajakumar R, Islam MS, Liu Y, Chen Y, Zhou CJ. Cellular and developmental basis of orofacial clefts. Birth Defects Res 2020; 112:1558-1587. [PMID: 32725806 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
During craniofacial development, defective growth and fusion of the upper lip and/or palate can cause orofacial clefts (OFCs), which are among the most common structural birth defects in humans. The developmental basis of OFCs includes morphogenesis of the upper lip, primary palate, secondary palate, and other orofacial structures, each consisting of diverse cell types originating from all three germ layers: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. Cranial neural crest cells and orofacial epithelial cells are two major cell types that interact with various cell lineages and play key roles in orofacial development. The cellular basis of OFCs involves defective execution in any one or several of the following processes: neural crest induction, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, primary cilia formation and its signaling transduction, epithelial seam formation and disappearance, periderm formation and peeling, convergence and extrusion of palatal epithelial seam cells, cell adhesion, cytoskeleton dynamics, and extracellular matrix function. The latest cellular and developmental findings may provide a basis for better understanding of the underlying genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and molecular mechanisms of OFCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Ji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA.,Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (BMCDB) graduate group, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Michael A Garland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Bo Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Shuwen Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Kurt Reynolds
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA.,Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (BMCDB) graduate group, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Moira McMahon
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Ratheya Rajakumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Mohammad S Islam
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Yue Liu
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - YiPing Chen
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Chengji J Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA.,Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (BMCDB) graduate group, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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6
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Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and different migration strategies as viewed from the neural crest. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2020; 66:43-50. [PMID: 32531659 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2020.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a dynamic process that produces migratory cells from epithelial precursors. However, EMT is not binary; rather it results in migratory cells which adopt diverse strategies including collective and individual cell migration to arrive at target destinations. Of the many embryonic cells that undergo EMT, the vertebrate neural crest is a particularly good example which has provided valuable insight into these processes. Neural crest cells from different species often adopt different migratory strategies with collective migration predominating in anamniotes, whereas individual cell migration is more prevalent in amniotes. Here, we will provide a perspective on recent work toward understanding the process of neural crest EMT focusing on how these cells undergo collective and individual cell migration.
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7
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Zhou H, Wang X, Lin J, Zhao Z, Chang C. Distribution of Cadherin in the Parahippocampal Area of Developing Domestic Chicken Embryos. Exp Neurobiol 2020; 29:11-26. [PMID: 32122105 PMCID: PMC7075654 DOI: 10.5607/en.2020.29.1.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Hippocampal formation is important in spatial learning and memory. Members of the cadherin superfamily are observed in the neural system with diverse spatial and temporal expression patterns and are involved in many biological processes. To date, the avian hippocampal formation is not well understood. In this study, we examined the expression of cadherin mRNA in chicken and mouse brains to investigate the morphological and cytoarchitectural bases of hippocampal formation. Profiles of the spatiotemporal expression of cadherin mRNAs in the developing chicken embryonic parahippocampal area (APH) are provided, and layer-specific expression and spatiotemporal expression were observed in different subdivisions of the APH. That fact that some cadherins (Cdh2, Cdh8, Pcdh8 and Pcdh10) showed conserved regional expression both in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex of mice and the hippocampal formation of chickens partially confirmed the structural homology proposed by previous scientists. This study indicates that some cadherins can be used as special markers of the avian hippocampal formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, ZhengZhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China.,Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Goethe-University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main 60596, Germany
| | - XiaoFan Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, ZhengZhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - JunTang Lin
- Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Stem Cell Medicine, College of Biomedical Engineering, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453000, China
| | - Ze Zhao
- School of Law, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Cheng Chang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, ZhengZhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China.,Birth Defect Prevention Key Laboratory, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Zhengzhou 450000, China.,Center of Cerebral Palsy Surgical Research and Treatment, ZhengZhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
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8
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Wnt Signaling in Neural Crest Ontogenesis and Oncogenesis. Cells 2019; 8:cells8101173. [PMID: 31569501 PMCID: PMC6829301 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural crest (NC) cells are a temporary population of multipotent stem cells that generate a diverse array of cell types, including craniofacial bone and cartilage, smooth muscle cells, melanocytes, and peripheral neurons and glia during embryonic development. Defective neural crest development can cause severe and common structural birth defects, such as craniofacial anomalies and congenital heart disease. In the early vertebrate embryos, NC cells emerge from the dorsal edge of the neural tube during neurulation and then migrate extensively throughout the anterior-posterior body axis to generate numerous derivatives. Wnt signaling plays essential roles in embryonic development and cancer. This review summarizes current understanding of Wnt signaling in NC cell induction, delamination, migration, multipotency, and fate determination, as well as in NC-derived cancers.
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9
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Terheyden-Keighley D, Zhang X, Brand-Saberi B, Theiss C. CXCR4/SDF1 signalling promotes sensory neuron clustering in vitro. Biol Open 2018; 7:bio.035568. [PMID: 30135081 PMCID: PMC6176946 DOI: 10.1242/bio.035568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
During the development of the peripheral nervous system, a subgroup of neural crest cells migrate away from the neural tube and coalesce into clusters of sensory neurons (ganglia). Mechanisms involved in the formation of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) from neural crest cells are currently unclear. Mice carrying mutations in Cxcr4, which is known to control neural crest migration, exhibit malformed DRG. In order to investigate this phenomenon, we modelled sensory neuron differentiation in vitro by directing the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into sensory neurons under SDF1 (agonist), AMD3100 (antagonist) or control conditions. There we could show a marked effect on the clustering activity of the neurons in vitro, suggesting that CXCR4 signalling is involved in facilitating DRG condensation. Summary: The signalling mechanisms directing sensory neuron gangliogenesis are not well understood. Here, we model this process through stem cell differentiation and show that CXCR4 signalling facilitates neural clustering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Terheyden-Keighley
- Institute of Anatomy, Department of Cytology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Xiaoqing Zhang
- Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, and Neuroregeneration Key Laboratory of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200092 Shanghai, China
| | - Beate Brand-Saberi
- Institute of Anatomy, Department of Anatomy and Molecular Embryology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Carsten Theiss
- Institute of Anatomy, Department of Cytology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
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10
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Gouignard N, Andrieu C, Theveneau E. Neural crest delamination and migration: Looking forward to the next 150 years. Genesis 2018; 56:e23107. [PMID: 29675839 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neural crest (NC) cells were described for the first time in 1868 by Wilhelm His. Since then, this amazing population of migratory stem cells has been intensively studied. It took a century to fully unravel their incredible abilities to contribute to nearly every organ of the body. Yet, our understanding of the cell and molecular mechanisms controlling their migration is far from complete. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on epithelial-mesenchymal transition and collective behavior of NC cells and propose further stops at which the NC train might be calling in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadège Gouignard
- Centre de Biologie du Développement, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, France
| | - Cyril Andrieu
- Centre de Biologie du Développement, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, France
| | - Eric Theveneau
- Centre de Biologie du Développement, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, France
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11
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Genuth MA, Allen CDC, Mikawa T, Weiner OD. Chick cranial neural crest cells use progressive polarity refinement, not contact inhibition of locomotion, to guide their migration. Dev Biol 2018; 444 Suppl 1:S252-S261. [PMID: 29501457 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
To move directionally, cells can bias the generation of protrusions or select among randomly generated protrusions. Here we use 3D two-photon imaging of chick branchial arch 2 directed neural crest cells to probe how these mechanisms contribute to directed movement, whether a subset or the majority of cells polarize during movement, and how the different classes of protrusions relate to one another. We find that, in contrast to Xenopus, cells throughout the stream are morphologically polarized along the direction of overall stream movement and do not exhibit contact inhibition of locomotion. Instead chick neural crest cells display a progressive sharpening of the morphological polarity program. Neural crest cells have weak spatial biases in filopodia generation and lifetime. Local bursts of filopodial generation precede the generation of larger protrusions. These larger protrusions are more spatially biased than the filopodia, and the subset of protrusions that are productive for motility are the most polarized of all. Orientation rather than position is the best correlate of the protrusions that are selected for cell guidance. This progressive polarity refinement strategy may enable neural crest cells to efficiently explore their environment and migrate accurately in the face of noisy guidance cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam A Genuth
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Christopher D C Allen
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Sandler Asthma Basic Research Center, Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, United States
| | - Takashi Mikawa
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, United States
| | - Orion D Weiner
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.
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12
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Pasiliao CC, Hopyan S. Cell ingression: Relevance to limb development and for adaptive evolution. Genesis 2017; 56. [PMID: 29280270 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cell ingression is an out-of-plane type of cell intercalation that is essential for the formation of multiple embryonic structures including the limbs. In particular, cell ingression underlies epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of lateral plate cells to initiate limb bud growth, delamination of neural crest cells to generate peripheral nerve sheaths, and emigration of myoblasts from somites to assemble muscles. Individual cells that ingress undergo apical constriction to generate bottle shaped cells, diminish adhesion to their epithelial cell neighbors, and generate protrusive blebs that likely facilitate their ingression into a subepithelial tissue layer. How signaling pathways regulate the progression of delamination is important for understanding numerous developmental events. In this review, we focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive cell ingression and draw comparisons between different morphogenetic contexts in various model organisms. We speculate that cell behaviors that facilitated tissue invagination among diploblasts subsequently drove individual cell ingression and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Future insights that link signalling pathways to biophysical mechanisms will likely advance our comprehension of this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa C Pasiliao
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Sevan Hopyan
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada.,Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children and University of, Toronto, M5G 1X8, Canada
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13
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Tomolonis JA, Agarwal S, Shohet JM. Neuroblastoma pathogenesis: deregulation of embryonic neural crest development. Cell Tissue Res 2017; 372:245-262. [PMID: 29222693 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-017-2747-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is an aggressive pediatric cancer that originates from neural crest tissues of the sympathetic nervous system. NB is highly heterogeneous both from a clinical and a molecular perspective. Clinically, this cancer represents a wide range of phenotypes ranging from spontaneous regression of 4S disease to unremitting treatment-refractory progression and death of high-risk metastatic disease. At a cellular level, the heterogeneous behavior of NB likely arises from an arrest and deregulation of normal neural crest development. In the present review, we summarize our current knowledge of neural crest development as it relates to pathways promoting 'stemness' and how deregulation may contribute to the development of tumor-initiating CSCs. There is an emerging consensus that such tumor subpopulations contribute to the evolution of drug resistance, metastasis and relapse in other equally aggressive malignancies. As relapsed, refractory disease remains the primary cause of death for neuroblastoma, the identification and targeting of CSCs or other primary drivers of tumor progression remains a critical, clinically significant goal for neuroblastoma. We will critically review recent and past evidence in the literature supporting the concept of CSCs as drivers of neuroblastoma pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Tomolonis
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Translational Biology & Molecular Medicine (TBMM) Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Saurabh Agarwal
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jason M Shohet
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Neuroblastoma Research Program, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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14
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Gallik KL, Treffy RW, Nacke LM, Ahsan K, Rocha M, Green-Saxena A, Saxena A. Neural crest and cancer: Divergent travelers on similar paths. Mech Dev 2017; 148:89-99. [PMID: 28888421 PMCID: PMC5811199 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2017] [Revised: 08/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Neural crest cells are multipotent progenitors that dynamically interpret diverse microenvironments to migrate significant distances as a loosely associated collective and contribute to many tissues in the developing vertebrate embryo. Uncovering details of neural crest migration has helped to inform a general understanding of collective cell migration, including that which occurs during cancer metastasis. Here, we discuss several commonalities and differences of neural crest and cancer cell migration and behavior. First, we focus on some of the molecular pathways required for the initial specification and potency of neural crest cells and the roles of many of these pathways in cancer progression. We also describe epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which plays a critical role in initiating both neural crest migration and cancer metastasis. Finally, we evaluate studies that demonstrate myriad forms of cell-cell and cell-environment communication during neural crest and cancer collective migration to highlight the remarkable similarities in their molecular and cell biological regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin L Gallik
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Randall W Treffy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Lynne M Nacke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Kamil Ahsan
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Manuel Rocha
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Abigail Green-Saxena
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Ankur Saxena
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
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15
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Cousin H. Cadherins function during the collective cell migration of Xenopus Cranial Neural Crest cells: revisiting the role of E-cadherin. Mech Dev 2017; 148:79-88. [PMID: 28467887 PMCID: PMC5662486 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2017.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Collective cell migration is a process whereby cells move while keeping contact with other cells. The Xenopus Cranial Neural Crest (CNC) is a population of cells that emerge during early embryogenesis and undergo extensive migration from the dorsal to ventral part of the embryo's head. These cells migrate collectively and require cadherin mediated cell-cell contact. In this review, we will describe the key features of Xenopus CNC migration including the key molecules driving their migration. We will also review the role of the various cadherins during Xenopus CNC emergence and migration. Lastly, we will discuss the recent and seemingly controversial findings showing that E-cadherin presence is essential for CNC migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Cousin
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, United States.
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16
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Münst S, Koch P, Kesavan J, Alexander-Mays M, Münst B, Blaess S, Brüstle O. In vitro segregation and isolation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural crest cells. Methods 2017; 133:65-80. [PMID: 29037816 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2017.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The neural crest (NC) is a transient embryonic cell population with remarkable characteristics. After delaminating from the neural tube, NC cells (NCCs) migrate extensively, populate nearly every tissue of the body and differentiate into highly diverse cell types such as peripheral neurons and glia, but also mesenchymal cells including chondrocytes, osteocytes, and adipocytes. While the NC has been extensively studied in several animal models, little is known about human NC development. A number of methods have been established to derive NCCs in vitro from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC). Typically, these protocols comprise several cell culture steps to enrich for NCCs in the neural derivatives of the differentiating hPSCs. Here we report on a remarkable and hitherto unnoticed in vitro segregation phenomenon that enables direct extraction of virtually pure NCCs during the earliest stages of hPSC differentiation. Upon aggregation to embryoid bodies (EB) and replating, differentiating hPSCs give rise to a population of NCCs, which spontaneously segregate from the EB outgrowth to form conspicuous, macroscopically visible atoll-shaped clusters in the periphery of the EB outgrowth. Isolation of these NC clusters yields p75NTR(+)/SOXE(+) NCCs, which differentiate to peripheral neurons and glia as well as mesenchymal derivatives. Our data indicate that differentiating hPSC cultures recapitulate, in a simplified manner, the physical segregation of central nervous system (CNS) tissue and NCCs. This phenomenon may be exploited for NCC purification and for studying segregation and differentiation processes observed during early human NC development in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Münst
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn Medical Faculty, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Philipp Koch
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn Medical Faculty, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jaideep Kesavan
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn Medical Faculty, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Alexander-Mays
- Institute of Human Genetics, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn Medical Faculty, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Bernhard Münst
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn Medical Faculty, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Sandra Blaess
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn Medical Faculty, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Oliver Brüstle
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn Medical Faculty, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
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17
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Zhang P, Wang G, Lin Z, Wu Y, Zhang J, Liu M, Lee KKH, Chuai M, Yang X. Alcohol exposure induces chick craniofacial bone defects by negatively affecting cranial neural crest development. Toxicol Lett 2017; 281:53-64. [PMID: 28919490 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2017.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 09/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Excess alcohol consumption during pregnancy could lead to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). However, the molecular mechanism leading to craniofacial abnormality, a feature of FAS, is still poorly understood. The cranial neural crest cells (NCCs) contribute to the formation of the craniofacial bones. Therefore, NCCs exposed to ethanol was investigated - using chick embryos and in vitro explant culture as experimental models. We demonstrated that exposure to 2% ethanol induced craniofacial defects, which includes parietal defect, in the developing chick fetus. Immunofluorescent staining revealed that ethanol treatment downregulated Ap-2ɑ, Pax7 and HNK-1 expressions by cranial NCCs. Using double-immunofluorescent stainings for Ap-2ɑ/pHIS3 and Ap-2ɑ/c-Caspase3, we showed that ethanol treatment inhibited cranial NCC proliferation and increased NCC apoptosis, respectively. Moreover, ethanol treatment of the dorsal neuroepithelium increased Laminin, N-Cadherin and Cadherin 6B expressions while Cadherin 7 expression was repressed. In situ hybridization also revealed that ethanol treatment up-regulated Cadherin 6B expression but down-regulated slug, Msx1, FoxD3 and BMP4 expressions. In summary, our experimental results demonstrated that ethanol treatment interferes with the production of cranial NCCs by affecting the proliferation and apoptosis of these cells. In addition, ethanol affected the delamination, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell migration of cranial NCCs, which may have contributed to the etiology of the craniofacial defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Division of Histology & Embryology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Guang Wang
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Division of Histology & Embryology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zhuangling Lin
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Division of Histology & Embryology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yushi Wu
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Division of Histology & Embryology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Division of Histology & Embryology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Meng Liu
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Division of Histology & Embryology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Kenneth Ka Ho Lee
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Manli Chuai
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Xuesong Yang
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Division of Histology & Embryology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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18
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Wang G, Chen EN, Liang C, Liang J, Gao LR, Chuai M, Münsterberg A, Bao Y, Cao L, Yang X. Atg7-Mediated Autophagy Is Involved in the Neural Crest Cell Generation in Chick Embryo. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:3523-3536. [PMID: 28509082 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0583-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy plays a very important role in numerous physiological and pathological events. However, it still remains unclear whether Atg7-induced autophagy is involved in the regulation of neural crest cell production. In this study, we found the co-location of Atg7 and Pax7+ neural crest cells in early chick embryo development. Upregulation of Atg7 with unilateral transfection of full-length Atg7 increased Pax7+ and HNK-1+ cephalic and trunk neural crest cell numbers compared to either Control-GFP transfection or opposite neural tubes, suggesting that Atg7 over-expression in neural tubes could enhance the production of neural crest cells. BMP4 in situ hybridization and p-Smad1/5/8 immunofluorescent staining demonstrated that upregulation of Atg7 in neural tubes suppressed the BMP4/Smad signaling, which is considered to promote the delamination of neural crest cells. Interestingly, upregulation of Atg7 in neural tubes could significantly accelerate cell progression into the S phase, implying that Atg7 modulates cell cycle progression. However, β-catenin expression was not significantly altered. Finally, we demonstrated that upregulation of the Atg7 gene could activate autophagy as did Atg8. We have also observed that similar phenotypes, such as more HNK-1+ neural crest cells in the unilateral Atg8 transfection side of neural tubes, and the transfection with full-length Atg8-GFP certainly promote the numbers of BrdU+ neural crest cells in comparison to the GFP control. Taken together, we reveal that Atg7-induced autophagy is involved in regulating the production of neural crest cells in early chick embryos through the modification of the cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Wang
- Division of Histology & Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.,Chinese Medicine College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - En-Ni Chen
- Division of Histology & Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Chang Liang
- Division of Histology & Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jianxin Liang
- Division of Histology & Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.,Chinese Medicine College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Lin-Rui Gao
- Division of Histology & Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Manli Chuai
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Andrea Münsterberg
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Yongping Bao
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Liu Cao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.
| | - Xuesong Yang
- Division of Histology & Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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19
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Taneyhill LA, Schiffmacher AT. Should I stay or should I go? Cadherin function and regulation in the neural crest. Genesis 2017; 55. [PMID: 28253541 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Our increasing comprehension of neural crest cell development has reciprocally advanced our understanding of cadherin expression, regulation, and function. As a transient population of multipotent stem cells that significantly contribute to the vertebrate body plan, neural crest cells undergo a variety of transformative processes and exhibit many cellular behaviors, including epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), motility, collective cell migration, and differentiation. Multiple studies have elucidated regulatory and mechanistic details of specific cadherins during neural crest cell development in a highly contextual manner. Collectively, these results reveal that gradual changes within neural crest cells are accompanied by often times subtle, yet important, alterations in cadherin expression and function. The primary focus of this review is to coalesce recent data on cadherins in neural crest cells, from their specification to their emergence as motile cells soon after EMT, and to highlight the complexities of cadherin expression beyond our current perceptions, including the hypothesis that the neural crest EMT is a transition involving a predominantly singular cadherin switch. Further advancements in genetic approaches and molecular techniques will provide greater opportunities to integrate data from various model systems in order to distinguish unique or overlapping functions of cadherins expressed at any point throughout the ontogeny of the neural crest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Taneyhill
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742
| | - Andrew T Schiffmacher
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742
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20
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Abstract
Fibrotic cardiac disease, a leading cause of death worldwide, manifests as substantial loss of function following maladaptive tissue remodeling. Fibrosis can affect both the heart valves and the myocardium and is characterized by the activation of fibroblasts and accumulation of extracellular matrix. Valvular interstitial cells and cardiac fibroblasts, the cell types responsible for maintenance of cardiac extracellular matrix, are sensitive to changing mechanical environments, and their ability to sense and respond to mechanical forces determines both normal development and the progression of disease. Recent studies have uncovered specific adhesion proteins and mechano-sensitive signaling pathways that contribute to the progression of fibrosis. Integrins form adhesions with the extracellular matrix, and respond to changes in substrate stiffness and extracellular matrix composition. Cadherins mechanically link neighboring cells and are likely to contribute to fibrotic disease propagation. Finally, transition to the active myofibroblast phenotype leads to maladaptive tissue remodeling and enhanced mechanotransductive signaling, forming a positive feedback loop that contributes to heart failure. This Commentary summarizes recent findings on the role of mechanotransduction through integrins and cadherins to perpetuate mechanically induced differentiation and fibrosis in the context of cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison K Schroer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | - W David Merryman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
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21
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Barriga EH, Mayor R. Embryonic cell-cell adhesion: a key player in collective neural crest migration. Curr Top Dev Biol 2015; 112:301-23. [PMID: 25733144 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2014.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cell migration is essential for morphogenesis, adult tissue remodeling, wound healing, and cancer cell migration. Cells can migrate as individuals or groups. When cells migrate in groups, cell-cell interactions are crucial in order to promote the coordinated behavior, essential for collective migration. Interestingly, recent evidence has shown that cell-cell interactions are also important for establishing and maintaining the directionality of these migratory events. We focus on neural crest cells, as they possess extraordinary migratory capabilities that allow them to migrate and colonize tissues all over the embryo. Neural crest cells undergo an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition at the same time than perform directional collective migration. Cell-cell adhesion has been shown to be an important source of planar cell polarity and cell coordination during collective movement. We also review molecular mechanisms underlying cadherin turnover, showing how the modulation and dynamics of cell-cell adhesions are crucial in order to maintain tissue integrity and collective migration in vivo. We conclude that cell-cell adhesion during embryo development cannot be considered as simple passive resistance to force, but rather participates in signaling events that determine important cell behaviors required for cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias H Barriga
- Cell and Developmental Biology Department, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roberto Mayor
- Cell and Developmental Biology Department, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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22
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Herr F, Horndasch M, Howe D, Baal N, Goyal P, Fischer S, Zygmunt M, Preissner KT. Human placenta-derived Wnt-5a induces the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in CD133(+)CD34(+)-hematopoietic progenitor cells. Reprod Biol 2014; 14:262-75. [PMID: 25454492 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2014.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2013] [Revised: 08/15/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis and vascular development are essential for fetal development and growth, whereby early pregnancy loss and other pregnancy-related pathologies have been linked to aberrant vascular development. As Wnt signalling has been suggested to play a role in the vascularization of chorionic villi, we investigated the expression of Wnt family members in trophoblasts and stromal cells isolated from chorionic villi of early placenta and the influence of Wnt signalling on CD133(+)CD34(+)-hematopoietic progenitor (CD133(+)CD34(+)) cells. Wnt-5a was expressed in human placental stromal cells and to a lesser extent in human trophoblast cells. rWnt-5a impeded migration and induced adhesion of CD133(+)CD34(+) cells, in accordance with the expression of adhesion proteins, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). rWnt-5a-related regulation of the ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression were dependent on the release of Ca2+ and the activation of transcription factor - nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NF-AT). We propose that Wnt-5a is required during early placenta development to mediate adhesion and homing of CD133(+)CD34(+) cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Herr
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University, D-17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Manuela Horndasch
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Justus-Liebig-University, D-35385 Giessen, Germany
| | - Désirée Howe
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Justus-Liebig-University, D-35385 Giessen, Germany; Department of Anesthesiology, Justus-Liebig-University, D-35385 Giessen, Germany
| | - Nelli Baal
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Justus-Liebig-University, D-35385 Giessen, Germany; Institute for Clinical Immunology & Transfusion Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, D-35385 Giessen, Germany
| | - Pankaj Goyal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University, D-17475 Greifswald, Germany; Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan NH-8, Bandar Sindri, Distt. Ajmer, Rajasthan 305801, India
| | - Silvia Fischer
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical School, Justus-Liebig-University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Marek Zygmunt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University, D-17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Klaus T Preissner
- Institute of Biochemistry, Medical School, Justus-Liebig-University, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
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23
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Tondeleir D, Noelanders R, Bakkali K, Ampe C. Beta-actin is required for proper mouse neural crest ontogeny. PLoS One 2014; 9:e85608. [PMID: 24409333 PMCID: PMC3883714 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The mouse genome consists of six functional actin genes of which the expression patterns are temporally and spatially regulated during development and in the adult organism. Deletion of beta-actin in mouse is lethal during embryonic development, although there is compensatory expression of other actin isoforms. This suggests different isoform specific functions and, more in particular, an important function for beta-actin during early mammalian development. We here report a role for beta-actin during neural crest ontogeny. Although beta-actin null neural crest cells show expression of neural crest markers, less cells delaminate and their migration arrests shortly after. These phenotypes were associated with elevated apoptosis levels in neural crest cells, whereas proliferation levels were unchanged. Specifically the pre-migratory neural crest cells displayed higher levels of apoptosis, suggesting increased apoptosis in the neural tube accounts for the decreased amount of migrating neural crest cells seen in the beta-actin null embryos. These cells additionally displayed a lack of membrane bound N-cadherin and dramatic decrease in cadherin-11 expression which was more pronounced in the pre-migratory neural crest population, potentially indicating linkage between the cadherin-11 expression and apoptosis. By inhibiting ROCK ex vivo, the knockout neural crest cells regained migratory capacity and cadherin-11 expression was upregulated. We conclude that the presence of beta-actin is vital for survival, specifically of pre-migratory neural crest cells, their proper emigration from the neural tube and their subsequent migration. Furthermore, the absence of beta-actin affects cadherin-11 and N-cadherin function, which could partly be alleviated by ROCK inhibition, situating the Rho-ROCK signaling in a feedback loop with cadherin-11.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davina Tondeleir
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rivka Noelanders
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karima Bakkali
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe Ampe
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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24
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Taneyhill LA, Schiffmacher AT. Cadherin dynamics during neural crest cell ontogeny. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2013; 116:291-315. [PMID: 23481200 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394311-8.00013-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Cell membrane-associated junctional complexes mediate cell-cell adhesion, intercellular interactions, and other fundamental processes required for proper embryo morphogenesis. Cadherins are calcium-dependent transmembrane proteins at the core of adherens junctions and are expressed in distinct spatiotemporal patterns throughout the development of an important vertebrate cell type, the neural crest. Multipotent neural crest cells arise from the ectoderm as epithelial cells under the influence of inductive cues, undergo an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, migrate throughout the embryonic body, and then differentiate into multiple derivatives at predetermined destinations. Neural crest cells change their expressed cadherin repertoires as they undergo each new morphogenetic transition, providing insight into distinct functions of expressed cadherins that are essential for proper completion of each specific stage. Cadherins modulate neural crest cell morphology, segregation, migration, and tissue formation. This chapter reviews the knowledge base of cadherin regulation, expression, and function during the ontogeny of the neural crest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Taneyhill
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, 1405 Animal Sciences Center, College Park, Maryland, USA
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25
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Theveneau E, Mayor R. Collective cell migration of epithelial and mesenchymal cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 70:3481-92. [PMID: 23314710 PMCID: PMC11113167 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-1251-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2012] [Revised: 12/13/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Directional cell migration is required for proper embryogenesis, immunity, and healing, and its underpinning regulatory mechanisms are often hijacked during diseases such as chronic inflammations and cancer metastasis. Studies on migratory epithelial tissues have revealed that cells can move as a collective group with shared responsibilities. First thought to be restricted to proper epithelial cell types able to maintain stable cell-cell junctions, the field of collective cell migration is now widening to include cooperative behavior of mesenchymal cells. In this review, we give an overview of the mechanisms driving collective cell migration in epithelial tissues and discuss how mesenchymal cells can cooperate to behave as a collective in the absence of bona fide cell-cell adhesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Theveneau
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Roberto Mayor
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
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26
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Mayanil CS. Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of neural crest induction during neurulation. Dev Neurosci 2013; 35:361-72. [PMID: 24051984 DOI: 10.1159/000354749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurulation is one of the many important events in mammalian development. It is the stage of organogenesis in vertebrate embryos during which the neural tube is transformed into the primitive structures that will later develop into the central nervous system. Recent transcriptome analysis during neurulation and early organogenesis in humans and mice has identified the global dynamics of gene expression changes across developmental time. This has revealed a richer understanding of gene regulation and provides hints at the transcriptional regulatory networks that underlie these processes. Similarly, epigenome analysis, which collectively constitutes histone modifications, transcription factor binding, and other structural features associated with gene regulation, has given a renewed appreciation to the subtle mechanisms involving the process of neurulation. More specifically, the histone demethylases KDM4A and KDM6B have recently been shown to be key histone H3K4 and H3K27 modifiers that regulate neural crest specification and neural tube closure. Additionally, miRNAs have recently been shown to influence transcription of genes directly or by altering the levels of epigenetic modifiers and thus regulate gene expression. This mini review briefly summarizes the literature, highlighting the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of key genes involved in neural crest induction and neural crest specification by transcription factors and miRNAs. Understanding how these mechanisms work individually and in clusters will shed light on pathways in the context of diseases associated with neural crest cell derivatives such as melanoma, cardiovascular defects and neuronal craniofacial defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra S Mayanil
- Developmental Biology Program, Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill., USA
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27
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Sakane F, Miyamoto Y. N-cadherin regulates the proliferation and differentiation of ventral midbrain dopaminergic progenitors. Dev Neurobiol 2013; 73:518-29. [PMID: 23420609 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Revised: 01/08/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Adherens junction (AJ) between dopaminergic (DA) progenitors maintains the structure of ventricular zone and polarity of radial glia cells in the ventral midbrain (vMB) during embryonic development. However, it is unclear how loss of N-cadherin might influence the integrity of the AJ and the process of DA neurogenesis. Here, we used conditional gene targeting approaches to perform the region-specific removal of N-cadherin in the neurogenic niche of DA neurons in the vMB. Removal of N-cadherin in the vMB using Shh-Cre disrupts the AJs of DA progenitors and radial glia processes in the vMB. Surprisingly, loss of N-cadherin in the vMB leads to a significant expansion of DA progenitors, including those expressing Sox2, Ngn2, and Otx2. Cell cycle analyses reveal that the cell cycle exit in the progenitor cells is decreased in the mutants from E11.5 to E12.5. In addition, the efficiency of DA progenitors in differentiating into DA neurons is decreased from E10.5 to E12.5, leading to a marked reduction in the number of DA neurons at E11.5, E12.5, and E17.5. Loss of N-cadherin leads to the diffuse distribution of β-catenin proteins, which are a critical component of AJ and Wnt signaling, from the AJ throughout the entire cytoplasm in neuroepithelial cells, suggesting that canonical Wnt signaling might be activated in the DA progenitors in vMB. Taken together, these results support the notion that N-cadherin regulates the proliferation of DA progenitors and the differentiation of DA neurons through canonical Wnt-β-catenin signaling in the vMB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumi Sakane
- Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8610, Japan
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28
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Microenvironmental protection of CML stem and progenitor cells from tyrosine kinase inhibitors through N-cadherin and Wnt-β-catenin signaling. Blood 2013; 121:1824-38. [PMID: 23299311 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2012-02-412890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are highly effective in treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) but do not eliminate leukemia stem cells (LSCs), which remain a potential source of relapse. TKI treatment effectively inhibits BCR-ABL kinase activity in CML LSCs, suggesting that additional kinase-independent mechanisms contribute to LSC preservation. We investigated whether signals from the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment protect CML LSCs from TKI treatment. Coculture with human BM mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) significantly inhibited apoptosis and preserved CML stem/progenitor cells following TKI exposure, maintaining colony-forming ability and engraftment potential in immunodeficient mice. We found that the N-cadherin receptor plays an important role in MSC-mediated protection of CML progenitors from TKI. N-cadherin-mediated adhesion to MSCs was associated with increased cytoplasmic N-cadherin-β-catenin complex formation as well as enhanced β-catenin nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity. Increased exogenous Wnt-mediated β-catenin signaling played an important role in MSC-mediated protection of CML progenitors from TKI treatment. Our results reveal a close interplay between N-cadherin and the Wnt-β-catenin pathway in protecting CML LSCs during TKI treatment. Importantly, these results reveal novel mechanisms of resistance of CML LSCs to TKI treatment and suggest new targets for treatment designed to eradicate residual LSCs in CML patients.
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29
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Paulson AF, Prasad MS, Thuringer AH, Manzerra P. Regulation of cadherin expression in nervous system development. Cell Adh Migr 2013; 8:19-28. [PMID: 24526207 DOI: 10.4161/cam.27839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This review addresses our current understanding of the regulatory mechanisms for classical cadherin expression during development of the vertebrate nervous system. The complexity of the spatial and temporal expression patterns is linked to morphogenic and functional roles in the developing nervous system. While the regulatory networks controlling cadherin expression are not well understood, it is likely that the multiple signaling pathways active in the development of particular domains also regulate the specific cadherins expressed at that time and location. With the growing understanding of the broader roles of cadherins in cell-cell adhesion and non-adhesion processes, it is important to understand both the upstream regulation of cadherin expression and the downstream effects of specific cadherins within their cellular context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia F Paulson
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences; Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota; Vermillion, SD USA
| | - Maneeshi S Prasad
- Department of Molecular Biosciences; Northwestern University; Evanston, IL USA
| | | | - Pasquale Manzerra
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences; Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota; Vermillion, SD USA
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30
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Inestrosa NC, Montecinos-Oliva C, Fuenzalida M. Wnt signaling: role in Alzheimer disease and schizophrenia. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2012; 7:788-807. [PMID: 23160851 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-012-9417-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2012] [Accepted: 10/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Wnt signaling function starts during the development of the nervous system and is crucial for synaptic plasticity in the adult brain. Clearly Wnt effects in synaptic and plastic processes are relevant, however the implication of this pathway in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases that produce synaptic impairment, is even more interesting. Several years ago our laboratory found a relationship between the loss of Wnt signaling and the neurotoxicity of the amyloid-β-peptide (Aβ), one of the main players in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Moreover, the activation of the Wnt signaling cascade prevents Aβ-dependent cytotoxic effects. In fact, disrupted Wnt signaling may be a direct link between Aβ-toxicity and tau hyperphosphorylation, ultimately leading to impaired synaptic plasticity and/or neuronal degeneration, indicating that a single pathway can account for both neuro-pathological lesions and altered synaptic function. These observations, suggest that a sustained loss of Wnt signaling function may be a key relevant factor in the pathology of AD. On the other hand, Schizophrenia remains one of the most debilitating and intractable illness in psychiatry. Since Wnt signaling is important in organizing the developing brain, it is reasonable to propose that defects in Wnt signaling could contribute to Schizophrenia, particularly since the neuro-developmental hypothesis of the disease implies subtle dys-regulation of brain development, including some core components of the Wnt signaling pathways such as GSK-3β or Disrupted in Schizophrenia-1 (DISC-1). This review focuses on the relationship between Wnt signaling and its potential relevance for the treatment of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases including AD and Schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nibaldo C Inestrosa
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE), Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile.
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31
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McKeown SJ, Wallace AS, Anderson RB. Expression and function of cell adhesion molecules during neural crest migration. Dev Biol 2012; 373:244-57. [PMID: 23123967 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2012.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2012] [Revised: 10/18/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Neural crest cells are highly migratory cells that give rise to many derivatives including peripheral ganglia, craniofacial structures and melanocytes. Neural crest cells migrate along defined pathways to their target sites, interacting with each other and their environment as they migrate. Cell adhesion molecules are critical during this process. In this review we discuss the expression and function of cell adhesion molecules during the process of neural crest migration, in particular cadherins, integrins, members of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules, and the proteolytic enzymes that cleave these cell adhesion molecules. The expression and function of these cell adhesion molecules and proteases are compared across neural crest emigrating from different axial levels, and across different species of vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja J McKeown
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, 3010 VIC, Australia.
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32
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Theveneau E, Mayor R. Can mesenchymal cells undergo collective cell migration? The case of the neural crest. Cell Adh Migr 2012; 5:490-8. [PMID: 22274714 DOI: 10.4161/cam.5.6.18623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell migration is critical for proper development of the embryo and is also used by many cell types to perform their physiological function. For instance, cell migration is essential for immune cells to monitor the body and for epithelial cells to heal a wound whereas, in cancer cells, acquisition of migratory capabilities is a critical step towards malignancy. Migratory cells are often categorized into two groups: mesenchymal cells, produced by an epithelium-to-mesenchyme transition, that undergo solitary migration and epithelial-like cells which migrate collectively. However, on some occasions, mesenchymal cells may travel in large, dense groups and exhibit key features of collectively migrating cells such as coordination and cooperation. Here, using data published on Neural Crest cells, a highly invasive mesenchymal cell population that extensively migrate throughout the embryo, we explore the idea that other mesenchymal cells, including cancer cells, might be able to undergo collective cell migration under certain conditions and discuss how they could do so.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Theveneau
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
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33
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Milet C, Monsoro-Burq AH. Embryonic stem cell strategies to explore neural crest development in human embryos. Dev Biol 2012; 366:96-9. [PMID: 22306197 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2012.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Accepted: 01/17/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Controling embryonic stem cell fate in vitro has been a major challenge in the past decade. Several protocols have been developed to obtain neural crest derivatives in culture, using more or less defined conditions. Here, we present various strategies used to date to obtain neural crest specification and the markers that can be used to identify human neural crest cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Milet
- Institut Curie, INSERM U1021, CNRS, UMR 3347, F-91405 Orsay, France
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34
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Theveneau E, Mayor R. Neural crest delamination and migration: from epithelium-to-mesenchyme transition to collective cell migration. Dev Biol 2012; 366:34-54. [PMID: 22261150 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2011.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 352] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2011] [Accepted: 12/26/2011] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
After induction and specification in the ectoderm, at the border of the neural plate, the neural crest (NC) population leaves its original territory through a delamination process. Soon afterwards, the NC cells migrate throughout the embryo and colonize a myriad of tissues and organs where they settle and differentiate. The delamination involves a partial or complete epithelium-to-mesenchyme transition (EMT) regulated by a complex network of transcription factors including several proto-oncogenes. Studying the relationship between these genes at the time of emigration, and their individual or collective impact on cell behavior, provides valuable information about their role in EMT in other contexts such as cancer metastasis. During migration, NC cells are exposed to large number of positive and negative regulators that control where they go by generating permissive and restricted areas and by modulating their motility and directionality. In addition, as most NC cells migrate collectively, cell-cell interactions play a crucial role in polarizing the cells and interpreting external cues. Cell cooperation eventually generates an overall polarity to the population, leading to directional collective cell migration. This review will summarize our current knowledge on delamination, EMT and migration of NC cells using key examples from chicken, Xenopus, zebrafish and mouse embryos. Given the similarities between neural crest migration and cancer invasion, these cells may represent a useful model for understanding the mechanisms of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Theveneau
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, UK
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35
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Azarin SM, Lian X, Larson EA, Popelka HM, de Pablo JJ, Palecek SP. Modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in human embryonic stem cells using a 3-D microwell array. Biomaterials 2011; 33:2041-9. [PMID: 22177620 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.11.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 11/25/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Intercellular interactions in the cell microenvironment play a critical role in determining cell fate, but the effects of these interactions on pathways governing human embryonic stem cell (hESC) behavior have not been fully elucidated. We and others have previously reported that 3-D culture of hESCs affects cell fates, including self-renewal and differentiation to a variety of lineages. Here we have used a microwell culture system that produces 3-D colonies of uniform size and shape to provide insight into the effect of modulating cell-cell contact on canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling in hESCs. Canonical Wnt signaling has been implicated in both self-renewal and differentiation of hESCs, and competition for β-catenin between the Wnt pathway and cadherin-mediated cell-cell interactions impacts various developmental processes, including the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Our results showed that hESCs cultured in 3-D microwells exhibited higher E-cadherin expression than cells on 2-D substrates. The increase in E-cadherin expression in microwells was accompanied by a downregulation of Wnt signaling, as evidenced by the lack of nuclear β-catenin and downregulation of Wnt target genes. Despite this reduction in Wnt signaling in microwell cultures, embryoid bodies (EBs) formed from hESCs cultured in microwells exhibited higher levels of Wnt signaling than EBs from hESCs cultured on 2-D substrates. Furthermore, the Wnt-positive cells within EBs showed upregulation of genes associated with cardiogenesis. These results demonstrate that modulation of intercellular interactions impacts Wnt/β-catenin signaling in hESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira M Azarin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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36
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Prasad MS, Paulson AF. A combination of enhancer/silencer modules regulates spatially restricted expression of cadherin-7 in neural epithelium. Dev Dyn 2011; 240:1756-68. [PMID: 21674686 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.22675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The spatially restricted expression of cadherin-7 to the intermediate domain of the neural epithelium and in migrating neural crest cells during early neural development is potentially regulated by multiple signaling inputs. To identify the regulatory modules involved in regulation of cadherin-7, evolutionary conserved non-coding sequences in the cadherin-7 locus were analyzed. This led to the identification of an evolutionary conserved region of 606 bp (ECR1) that together with the cadherin-7 promoter recapitulates endogenous cadherin-7 expression in intermediate neural tube, spinal motor neurons, interneurons, and dorsal root ganglia. Deletion analysis of ECR1 revealed a 19-bp block that is essential for ECR1 enhancer activity, while two separate blocks of 10 and 12 bp were found to be essential for ECR1 silencer activity in the dorsal and ventral neural epithelium, respectively. Together, these data provide an insight into tissue-specific regulatory regions that might be involved in regulation of cadherin-7 gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maneeshi S Prasad
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, USA.
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