Trunk neural crest cells: formation, migration and beyond

GUILLERMO VEGA LÓPEZ; SANTIAGO CERRIZUELA; MANUEL J. AYBAR

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY

U B C PRESS

Año: 2017 vol. 61 p. 5 - 15

0214-6282

Neural crest cells (NCCs) are a multipotent, migratory cell population that generatesan astonishingly diverse array of cell types during vertebrate development. Thetrunk neural crest has long been considered of particular significance. First,it has been held that the trunk neural crest has a morphogenetic role, actingto coordinate the development of the peripheral nervous system, secretory cellsof the endocrine system and pigment cells of the skin. Second, the trunk neuralcrest additionally has skeletal potential. However, it has been demonstrated that a key role of the trunk neural crest streams is to organize theinnervation of the intestine. Although trunk NCCs have a limited capacity forself-renewal, sometimes they become neural-crest-derived tumor cells and revealthe fact that that NCCs and tumor cells share the same molecular machinery. Inthis review we describe the routes taken by trunk NCCs and consider the signalsand cues that pattern these trajectories. We also discuss recent advances in thecharacterization of the properties of trunk NCCs for various model organisms inorder to highlight common themes. Finally, looking to the future, we discussthe need to translate the wealth of data from animal studies to the clinicalarea in order to develop treatments for NC related human diseases.