Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Dual Labeling of Neural Crest Cells and Blood Vessels Within Chicken Embryos Using ChickGFP Neural Tube Grafting and Carbocyanine Dye DiI Injection
Published on: May 28, 2015
Ventral neural tube cells differentiate into hepatocytes in the chick embryo
1Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912, USA.
Abstract:
A population of ventral neural tube cells has recently been shown to migrate out of the hindbrain neural tube via the vagus nerve and contribute to the developing gastrointestinal tract. Since liver is also innervated by the vagus nerve, we sought to determine if these cells also migrate into the liver. Ventral neural tube cells in the caudal hindbrain of chick embryos were tagged with a replication-deficient retroviral vector containing the LacZ gene on embryonic day 2. Embryos were processed for detection of labeled cells on embryonic day 5 and 11. Labeled cells were seen in the liver on both days and identified as hepatocytes. Previously, it was believed that all hepatocytes develop from the gut endoderm. Results of the present study show an additional source for the formation of liver cells.
Related Concept Videos
Gastrulation
Neurulation
Determination
Liver Regeneration
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are large...
Cellular Differentiation
A zygote is a...
Development of Blood Vessels
The initial formation of this system is facilitated by the small amount of yolk present in the ovum and yolk sac. Blood vessels originate from...

