Tenascin-Y in the Developing and Adult Avian Nervous System

Abstract

The glycoproteins tenascin-C and tenascin-R are abundant in the developing and adult nervous system, respectively. We have used a polyclonal antiserum to determine if tenascin-Y, a novel member of the tenascin family previously identified in the extracellular matrix of muscle, is also expressed in the avian nervous system. Beginning at embryonic day 3 tenascin-Y immunoreactivity is associated with bottle-shaped ependymal cells in the roof plate and floor plate of the spinal cord and brain. These cells resemble the secretory cells that synthesize the ventricular extracellular matrix, including Reissner’s fiber. Tenascin-Y immunoreactivity is also seen in pia mater and blood vessels in the developing and adult central nervous system. Anti-tenascin-Y stains the connective tissue sheath of peripheral nerves and the dorsal roots beginning around embryonic day 20. In vitro, sensory neurites fail to form lamellipodia when cultured in the presence of recombinant tenascin-Y, suggesting that tenascin-Y may play a role in inhibiting sensory neurite regeneration into the spinal cord. There is little overlap in the expression patterns of tenascin-Y and tenascin-C during development and between tenascin-Y and tenascin-R in the adult central nervous system, which is further evidence of distinctive mechanisms of gene regulation by the different members of the tenascin family.

Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan-based perineuronal net establishment is largely activity-independent in chick visual system

“…In the chick embryo, aggrecan is expressed between embryonic days 7-16 but not later, and has been suggested to play a role in later development including gliogenesis (Schwartz and Domowicz, 2004). Expression of ECM molecules such as tenascins has been shown to be transient and restricted to certain cell populations or axonal outgrowth only (Bartsch et al, 1995;Derr et al, 1998;Tucker et al, 1999). Nevertheless, an ECM establishment reminiscent to later matrix pattern or PNs has never been suggested.…”

Regulation of axonal outgrowth and pathfinding by integrin–ecm interactions

“…The TN family contains five known members, TN-C, TN-R, TN-X, TN-Y and TN-W (Table 1). However, only TN-C, TN-R, TN-Y and TN-W have been detected in the developing CNS (Dorries and Schachner, 1994; Dorries et al, 1996; Xiao et al, 1996; Faissner, 1997; Gotz et al, 1997; Weber et al, 1998; Tucker et al, 1999; Treloar et al, 2009). Tenascin molecules are mainly secreted by immature and reactive astrocytes, and by subsets of radial glia cells (Brodkey et al, 1995; Kawano et al, 1995).…”

The tenascin family of ECM glycoproteins: Structure, function, and regulation during embryonic development and tissue remodeling

“…For instance, during development of the skin and digestive tract, TN‐X expression is complementary to that of TN‐C (Matsumoto et al, 1994). Although TN‐C and TN‐Y are both expressed during CNS development, these molecules exhibit different cellular expression patterns: unlike TN‐C that is expressed primarily by glia, TN‐Y is expressed within the ependymal cells of the roof and floor plates (Tucker et al, 1999). TN‐Y and TN‐R also show little overlap in expression in the adult (Hagios et al, 1996; Hagios et al, 1999).…”

“…Consistent with an essential role for TN‐X in development, deletions within the TN‐X gene results in Ehlers‐Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder involving skin and joint hyperextensibility, vascular fragility, and poor wound healing (Burch et al, 1997). TN‐Y is a protein that is expressed in connective tissues and in the brain that modulates muscle cell growth (Hagios et al, 1996; Hagios et al, 1999; Tucker et al, 1999).…”