Fibronectin substrate induces shortening of in vitro neural crest cell mitotic cycle

Neural crest cells (NCC) segregate from neural folds, swim through extracellular matrix, and differentiate in several cell types. During in vivo and in vitro dispersion, NCC display a substantial proliferative rate. Here, we have evaluated this biological behavior under the influence of different substrates. NCC exhibit the highest proliferative activity on fibronectin substrate, with shortening of the G1 period. This fact is reverted by specific antibody pre-treatment of the substrate. Taking into account that NCC migrate along narrow and restricted pathways rich in essential fibronectin, with high proliferative rates, these results indicate that the fibronectin pathway contributes to increase the cell number, leading to a high population pressure that could participate in the early dispersion of NCC.