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Figure 9 | Neural Development

Figure 9

From: Neuropilins define distinct populations of neural crest cells

Figure 9

Neuropilins define molecularly distinct populations of ventrally migrating trunk NCCs. (A) Schematic detailing the neuropilin expression profiles in migrating trunk NCCs. NCCs migrating to the dorsal aorta (da) give rise to the sympathetic ganglia, while NCCs that stall within the somite alongside the neural tube (nt) give rise to sensory neurons of the DRG. Trunk NCCs at the level of the forelimb begin to delaminate from the neural tube at E8.5, and by E9.0, have started to migrate within the somite. At E9.5, some NCCs have already reached the dorsal aorta, while others have stalled in the anlagen of the DRG. At E10.5, NCCs with sympathetic fate have condensed, while NCCs with sensory fate have started differentiating in the DRG. Expression profiling identified distinct populations of NCCs with Nrp1 (red), Nrp2 (blue), and Nrp1/Nrp2 (purple). Nrp1-expressing cells preferentially migrate towards the dorsal aorta while Nrp2-expressing cells stall within the area of the DRG. Nrp2 was also expressed in presumptive NCC precursors within the dorsal neural tube. (B) Schematic diagram detailing the fate restriction of trunk NCCs. NCCs delaminate from the neural tube to migrate along two separate paths. Ventrally migrating NCCs initially travel through the intersomitic space to seed the sympathetic ganglia, and then switch to travel ventrally through the anterior half of the somite to give rise to sensory ganglia, sympathetic ganglia, and melanocytes. NCCs migrating dorsolaterally also give rise to melanocytes. Expression, fate-mapping, and phenotypic studies suggest that Nrp2 (Nrp2 alone (blue) and Nrp1/Nrp2 (purple)) is a marker of NCCs biased towards sensory ganglia. In addition, expression and phenotypic studies suggest that Nrp1 (red) is a marker of ventrally migrating NCCs that give rise to sympathetic ganglia.

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