Collective migration in complex environments: The case of the trunk neural crest

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Cell Biology
• Embryology

Background:

• The neural crest, a multipotent embryonic cell population in vertebrates, is vital for development.
• Neural crest cells migrate extensively, forming various cell types and tissues.
• Defects in neural crest development lead to neurocristopathies, emphasizing clinical relevance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review collective cell migration, fate specification, and models of trunk neural crest migration.
• To examine the interaction between trunk neural crest cells and their complex tissue environment.
• To contrast trunk neural crest migration with cranial neural crest migration.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on neural crest cell migration.
• Analysis of in vivo and in vitro models of trunk neural crest migration.
• Focus on the extracellular environment's role in trunk neural crest migration.

Main Results:

• Cranial and trunk neural crest cells exhibit distinct migratory behaviors and developmental contributions.
• Trunk neural crest cells encounter different microenvironments compared to cranial neural crest cells.
• Understanding trunk neural crest migration is essential for addressing neurocristopathies.

Conclusions:

• The complex interaction between trunk neural crest cells and their environment is critical for development.
• Further research into trunk neural crest migration models is needed.
• Investigating neural crest cell migration offers insights into birth defects and malignancies.