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Updated: Apr 28, 2026
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Mouse Epidermal Neural Crest Stem Cell EPI-NCSC Cultures
Published on: May 9, 2008
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Cultured embryonic non-innervated mouse muzzle is capable of generating a whisker pattern
1Institute of Anatomy, University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 9,1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Summary
Peripheral innervation is not required for the development of the mouse whisker pattern. Mouse skin alone can generate the whisker pattern, suggesting peripheral origins for central brain maps.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Sensory Systems
Background:
- The mouse whisker pattern is mapped in the parietal neocortex, with each whisker follicle corresponding to a specific neuronal unit called a 'barrel'.
- The precise role of peripheral innervation in establishing this vibrissal array remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of peripheral innervation in the formation of the mouse whisker pattern.
- To determine if the skin itself can generate the whisker pattern independently of neural input.
Main Methods:
- Culturing non-innervated prospective whiskerpads from embryonic mice (9-10 days old).
- Utilizing the chorioallantoic membrane for embryonic tissue culture.
Main Results:
- Cultured skin, devoid of peripheral innervation, successfully generated the characteristic whisker pattern.
- This demonstrates the intrinsic patterning capability of the skin tissue.
Conclusions:
- The skin is capable of self-patterning the vibrissal array.
- This finding supports the hypothesis that the peripheral nervous system plays a crucial role in the origin of central brain maps.
