Abstract
The intestinal microenvironment contains several extracellular macromolecules that play important roles during enteric nervous system (ENS) development. Tenascin‐C is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that regulates cell migration, possibly by modulating the adhesiveness of neural crest cells to their substratum. The role of tenascin‐C in enteric neuronal development is unknown. In this study we show that tenascin‐C is dynamically expressed during ENS development in the chick gut. It is absent from the cecal region prior to the arrival of crest‐derived cells, and then is found to colocalize with the migrating wavefront. Experimentally generated aganglionic hindgut leads to loss of tenascin‐C expression in the submucosal area. Analysis of FACS‐sorted neural crest cells by qRT‐PCR and generation of chick‐rat intestinal chimeras both demonstrate that vagal‐derived enteric neural crest cells produce tenascin‐C, whereas sacral‐derived crest cells do not. Based on vitro migration assays, we find that tenascin‐C promotes the migration of enteric neural crest cells. We conclude that vagal‐derived enteric neural crest cells produce tenascin‐C to promote their migration during ENS development.Grant sponsor: NIH: R01DK080914 (AG); Bolyai Fellowship (NN)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
