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Updated: Jan 30, 2026
12:17
Analysis of Trunk Neural Crest Cell Migration using a Modified Zigmond Chamber Assay
Published on: January 19, 2012
12.9K
Maintaining multipotent trunk neural crest stem cells as self-renewing crestospheres.
Sofie Mohlin1, Ezgi Kunttas2, Camilla U Persson3
1Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Developmental Biology
|January 22, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to culture trunk neural crest stem cells in vitro. This breakthrough allows for long-term study of these cells, aiding research into neural crest development and related diseases.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Neural crest cells exhibit diverse migratory and differentiation capabilities based on their axial origin.
- The transient nature of neural crest cells has historically limited the study of their stem cell and self-renewal properties.
- Existing in vitro methods successfully maintain cranial neural crest cells but fail to preserve trunk neural crest in a stem-like state.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize in vitro culture conditions for maintaining avian trunk neural crest cells in a stem-like state.
- To characterize the self-renewal and multipotency of trunk neural crest stem cells in culture.
- To establish a method for genetic manipulation of trunk neural crest stem cells.
Main Methods:
- Optimization of culture conditions for avian trunk neural crest cells.
- Characterization of trunk crestospheres using stem cell and lineage markers.
- Assessment of multipotency and self-renewal capacity over several weeks.
- Application of lentiviral transduction for gene expression manipulation.
Main Results:
- Successfully established and maintained avian trunk crestospheres in vitro, comprising both neural crest stem and progenitor cells.
- Trunk crestospheres demonstrated multipotency and self-renewal capacity for extended periods (several weeks).
- Trunk crestospheres showed distinct expression patterns of neural crest markers compared to other cell fates and cranial crest spheres.
- Lentiviral transduction was successfully employed for gene manipulation in trunk crestospheres.
Conclusions:
- Developed a robust method for long-term in vitro maintenance and manipulation of multipotent trunk neural crest cells in a premigratory stem or early progenitor state.
- Trunk crestospheres represent a valuable model for investigating neural crest stemness, lineage decisions, and associated diseases.
- This advancement facilitates deeper understanding of the fundamental biology of trunk neural crest cells.
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