Pathways and mechanisms of avian trunk neural crest cell migration and localization

doi:10.1016/0012-1606(82)90121-X

Developmental Biology

Volume 93, Issue 2, October 1982, Pages 324-343

https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-1606(82)90121-X Get rights and content

Abstract

Crest cells individualized at the dorsal border of the neural tube, while they became surrounded by a fibronectin-rich matrix. Crest cells initiated their migration between the basement membranes of the neural tube and the ectoderm. In the vagal region, crest cells migrated in a fibronectin-rich environment between the ectoderm and the dermomyotome, very rapidly reaching the apex of the pharynx. In the trunk region, crest cells opposite the bulk of the somite accumulated at the junction between the somite, the neural tube, and the ectoderm; they resumed their migration at the onset of the dissociation of the somite into dermomyotome and sclerotome. Migration occurred more ventrally along the neural tube; nevertheless, the formation of the rapidly expanding sclerotome prevented crest cells from reaching the paranotochordal region. Thereafter, crest cells accumulated between the neural tube, the dermomyotome, and the sclerotome, where ultimately they formed the dorsal root ganglia. In contrast, cells opposite the intersomitic space did not encounter these obstacles and utilized a narrow pathway formed between the basement membranes of the two adjacent somites. This pathway allowed crest cells to reach the most ventral regions of the embryo very rapidly; they accumulated along the aorta to form the aortic plexuses, the adrenal medulla, and the sympathetic ganglia. The basic features of the migration pathways are (1) a strict delimitation by the fibronectin-rich basement membranes of the surrounding tissues, (2) a formation of space concomitant with the migration of crest cells, (3) a transient existence: continued migration is correlated with the presence of fibronectin, whereas cessation is correlated with its focal disappearance. The crest cells are characterized by their inability to traverse basement membranes and penetrate within tissues. We propose that the combination of active proliferation, unique motility properties, and the presence of narrow pathways are the major mechanisms ensuring correct directionality. Morphologically defined transient routes of migration along with developmentally regulated changes in the extracellular matrix and in the adhesive properties of crest cells are most probably involved in their stabilization in defined territories and their aggregation into ganglia.

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^☆: This work was supported by grants from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (ATP 3701) and by the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (C.L. 79.4.214.4).

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Full paperPathways and mechanisms of avian trunk neural crest cell migration and localization☆

Abstract

Exp. Cell Res

Develop. Biol

Develop. Biol

Develop. Biol

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Cell Different

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Develop. Biol

Develop. Biol

Develop. Biol

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Develop. Biol

Develop. Biol

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J. Biol. Chem

Develop. Biol

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Int. Rev. Cytol

Develop. Biol

Advan. Morphol

Develop. Biol

The early development of cranial sensory ganglia and the potentialities of their component cells studied in quail-chick chimaeras

The neural crest of trunk region of the chick embryo studied by SEM and TEM

Zoon

Clonal analysis of the avian neural crest:migration and maturation of mixed neural crest clone injected into host chick embryos

J. Comp. Neurol

Antibodies to a neural cell adhesion molecule disrupt histogenesis in cultured chick retinae

Nature (London)

Proliferative and degenerative events in the early development of chick dorsal root ganglia. I. Normal development

J. Comp. Neurol

Principles of cell motility: The direction of cell movement and cancer invasion

Nature (London)

Full paper
Pathways and mechanisms of avian trunk neural crest cell migration and localization☆