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Spatio‐temporal control of neural epithelial cell migration and epithelium‐to‐mesenchyme transition during avian neural tube development
Author(s) -
Duband JeanLoup,
Blavet Cédrine,
Jarov Artem,
FournierThibault Claire
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
development, growth and differentiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.864
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1440-169X
pISSN - 0012-1592
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-169x.2009.01076.x
Subject(s) - mesenchyme , neural crest , neural tube , epithelium , neural fold , ingression , neural plate , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , epithelial–mesenchymal transition , cell migration , neural cell , cell , anatomy , embryo , transition (genetics) , embryogenesis , genetics , gastrulation , gene
As opposed to the neural crest, the neural epithelium is generally viewed as a static and cohesive structure. Here, using an ex vivo system free of the environmental influences and physical constraints encountered in the embryo, we show that neural epithelial cells are on the contrary intrinsically motile, although they do not undergo spontaneous epithelium‐to‐mesenchyme transition and display molecular and cellular characteristics distinct from those of neural crest cells. However, they can be instructed to undergo epithelium‐to‐mesenchyme conversion independently of the acquisition of neural crest traits. Migration potentialities of neural epithelial cells are transient and are progressively restricted during neural tube development. Restriction of cell migration is irreversible and can be in part accounted for by increase in N‐cadherin in cellular junctions and in cell polarity. In conclusion, our study reveals that the neural epithelium is a highly flexible tissue in which cells are maintained cohesive under the control of a combination of extrinsic factors and physical constraints.