Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
12:48
Isolation and Culture of Neural Crest Cells from Embryonic Murine Neural Tube
Published on: June 2, 2012
Neural crest progenitors and stem cells.
Elisabeth Dupin1, Giordano Calloni, Carla Real
1CNRS UPR2197 DEPSN, Institut de neurobiologie Alfred-Fessard, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France. Elisabeth.dupin@inaf.cnrs-gif.fr
Comptes Rendus Biologies
|July 17, 2007
Summary
The neural crest (NC) is a diverse progenitor population in vertebrate embryos. Differentiated NC cells can regain stem cell properties, suggesting roles in tissue repair.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Stem cell biology
- Cellular plasticity
Background:
- The neural crest (NC) is a transient embryonic structure in vertebrates.
- NC cells differentiate into diverse cell types, including neurons, glia, pigment cells, and craniofacial mesenchyme.
- The NC serves as a model for studying cell diversification and phenotype maintenance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the heterogeneity and developmental potential of migratory neural crest cells.
- To explore the role of cytokines in neural crest progenitor fate.
- To examine the potential for differentiated neural crest cells to regain stem cell properties.
Main Methods:
- Clonal cultures of quail neural crest cells.
- Analysis of developmental potentials and progenitor heterogeneity.
- Investigation of cytokine effects (Endothelin-3) on progenitor cells.
- Single-cell culture of differentiated neural crest derivatives.
Main Results:
- Migratory neural crest cells comprise heterogeneous progenitors with varying multipotency and self-renewal capacity.
- Common progenitors for mesenchymal and neural/melanocytic lineages exist in the cephalic NC.
- Endothelin-3 promotes survival and proliferation of glial/melanocyte progenitors.
- Differentiated pigment and Schwann cells can revert to multipotent NC-like progenitors.
Conclusions:
- Neural crest cell populations exhibit significant heterogeneity and plasticity.
- A hierarchical model of lineage segregation, influenced by cytokines, is supported.
- Differentiated neural crest derivatives can re-acquire stem cell characteristics, indicating potential for regeneration and repair.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Neurulation
Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the anterior...
01:51Determination
During embryogenesis, cells become progressively committed to different fates through a two-step process: specification followed by determination. Specification is demonstrated by removing a segment of an early embryo, “neutrally” culturing the tissue in vitro—for example, in a petri dish with simple medium—and then observing the derivatives. If the cultured region gives rise to cell types that it would normally generate in the embryo, this means that it is specified. In contrast, determination...
01:26Stem Cell Niche
The stem cell niche is the dynamic microenvironment where stem cells reside. Inside these niches, the cells may remain undifferentiated, undergo high self-renewal, or become lineage-specific progenitors. Stem cells coexist with other niche cells, such as stromal cells. They also interact closely with the ECM. Cell-cell and cell-matrix communication occur via adhesion molecules or soluble factors that signal the stem cells and determine their fate. Stromal cells also provide survival signals to...
01:34Production of Formed Elements
Hemangioblasts are multipotent stem cells originating from the mesoderm. They give rise to hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which undergo hematopoiesis to produce all the formed elements of blood. This process is regulated by a complex network of hematopoietic growth factors, including transcription factors, growth factors, and cytokines. These factors stimulate the HSCs to divide and differentiate, though some HSCs remain undifferentiated to maintain a self-renewing pool.
Most HSCs commit to...
Most HSCs commit to...
01:10Zygotic Development And Stem Cell Formation
The development of all multicellular organisms starts with the fusion of haploid cells called sperm and egg to form a diploid zygote. A zygote is a totipotent cell that can develop into a complete organism. The zygote undergoes cell division or cleavage to form an 8-cell mass. Until this stage, the cells are spherical, loosely attached, and remain totipotent. Totipotent cells are capable of developing both the embryonic and the extraembryonic tissues. However, as they continue to divide, they...
01:27Source And Potency Of Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with extensive self-renewal properties that help them maintain their population during the fetal and adult stages of life. They can specialize in all cell types of the human body. However, their differential potential may vary and can be classified into five types. Stem cells can be (1) Totipotent, (2) Pluripotent, (3) Multipotent, (4) Oligopotent, and (5) Unipotent. Each stem cell has a specific origin; the fertilized egg or zygote is a totipotent cell and...