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Specialized cell contacts in the developing nerves of mouse embryos
1Institut für Anatomie, Freie Universität Berlin, BRD.
Acta Anatomica
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Special focal contacts form between nerve cells and supporting cells during nerve development in mouse embryos. These contacts feature unique finger-like protrusions and fine filaments, aiding nerve outgrowth.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Neuroscience
- Cell biology
Background:
- Nerve outgrowth involves complex interactions between various cell types.
- Understanding cell-cell adhesion is crucial for nerve development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structure and nature of focal contacts during nerve outgrowth in mouse embryos.
- To describe the specific cellular and subcellular features of these contacts.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution microscopy of mouse embryos during nerve development.
- Detailed morphological analysis of cell-cell interfaces.
Main Results:
- Identified unique focal contacts between axons, Schwann cells, and fibroblasts.
- Observed uniform structures with finger-like protrusions from axons/Schwann cells into coated pits.
- Noted fine filaments spanning the narrow intercellular space within these contacts.
Conclusions:
- These specialized focal contacts play a role in the dynamic process of nerve outgrowth.
- The observed structures suggest a mechanism for guided adhesion and interaction between nerve and supporting cells.