title: Neural crest cell plasticity and its limits.
abstract: The neural crest (NC) yields pluripotent cells endowed with migratory properties. They give rise to neurons, glia, melanocytes and endocrine cells, and to diverse 'mesenchymal' derivatives. Experiments in avian embryos have revealed that the differentiation of the NC 'neural' precursors is strongly influenced by environmental cues. The reversibility of differentiated cells (such as melanocytes or glia) to a pluripotent precursor state can even be induced in vitro by a cytokine, endothelin 3. The fate of 'mesenchymal' NC precursors is strongly restricted by Hox gene expression. In this context, however, facial skeleton morphogenesis is under the control of a multistep crosstalk between the epithelia (endoderm and ectoderm) and NC cells.
authors.affiliation: Institut d'Embryologie cellulaire et moléculaire du CNRS et du Collège de France (UMR CNRS 7128), 94736 Nogent-sur-Marne, France. nicole.le-douarin@college-de-france.fr
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Le Douarin
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Creuzet
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Couly
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dupin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002642:Chick Embryo; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000196:embryology; D051524:Fibroblast Growth Factor 8; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D011784:Quail; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D051524:Fibroblast Growth Factor 8; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors