Lineage specification in neural crest cell pathfinding

Abstract

There are two principal models to explain neural crest patterning. One assumes that neural crest cells are multipotent precursors that migrate throughout the embryo and differentiate according to cues present in the local environment. A second proposes that the neural crest is a population of cells that becomes restricted to particular fates early in its existence and migrates along particular pathways dependent on unique cell-autonomous properties. Although it is now evident that the neural crest cell population, as a whole, is actually heterogenous (composed of both multipotent and restricted progenitors), evidence supporting the model of prespecification has increased over the past few years. This review will begin by telling the story of melanoblasts: a neural crest subpopulation that is biased toward a single fate and subsequently acquires intrinsic properties that guide cells of this lineage to their final destination. The remainder of this review will explore whether this model is exclusive to melanoblasts or if it can also be used to explain the patterning of other neural crest cells like those of the sensory, sympathoadrenal, and enteric lineages. Developmental Dynamics 236:1-19, 2007.

Neuropilin 1 signaling guides neural crest cells to coordinate pathway choice with cell specification

“…For example, ventromedially migrating NCCs express p75 and have a neuroglial fate, whereas cells on the dorsolateral path express TRP2 and yield melanocytes (32,33). Thus, it has been hypothesized that prespecification before or just after their emigration from the neural tube allows different NCC populations to enter distinct paths (34). Our study provides physiological evidence for the idea that p75/NRP1 co-expressing NCCs are specified toward a neuroglial fate and that this fate is not altered even if these cells lose their normal guidance factors and adopt a pathway that is normally taken only by the NCC precursors of melanocytes.…”

Role of noggin as an upstream signal in the lack of neuronal derivatives found in the avian caudal-most neural crest

“…A similar observation has been reported in other experimental situations (Maynard et al, 2000). Cumulating evidence suggests that NCCs constitute a heterogeneous population of cells containing both pluripotent and fate-restricted progenitors (Harris and Erickson, 2007). The existence of 'pre-specified' lineages, an early migrating lineage endowed with neurogenic potential and a later migrating lineage with melanogenic ability, has already been described (Erickson and Goins, 1995;Henion and Weston, 1997;Reedy et al, 1998).…”

Evidence for a dynamic spatiotemporal fate map and early fate restrictions of premigratory avian neural crest

“…One extreme possibility would postulate that although emigrating cells are multipotent, they migrate precisely because migratory pathways open sequentially to allow cell progression. Alternatively, early emigrating cells are already fatespecified and therefore may be differentially marked regarding the time of delamination and/or the migratory paths to follow (Anderson, 2000;Harris and Erickson, 2007;Le Douarin and Kalcheim, 1999). Lineage analysis suggests the coexistence of multipotent along with fate-restricted NC progenitors (BronnerFraser and Fraser, 1989;Bronner-Fraser and Fraser, 1988;Collazo et al, 1993;Erickson and Goins, 1995;Frank and Sanes, 1991;Fraser and Bronner-Fraser, 1991;Greenwood et al, 1999;Lo et al, 2005;Perez et al, 1999;Raible and Eisen, 1994;Reedy et al, 1998;Wilson et al, 2004;Zirlinger et al, 2002).…”