Project description:The in vitro generation of neural crest (NC) cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is a valuable approach to study human NC biology and isolate NC derivatives for disease modelling/regenerative medicine applications. However, conventional differentiation protocols induce only a modest yield of NC cells corresponding to the trunk level. Here we show that trunk NC cells and, their downstream derivatives, sympathoadrenal progenitors, can be produced at a high efficiency from hPSC-derived axial progenitors, the in vitro counterparts of the posteriorly-located drivers of embryonic axis elongation. Moreover, using transcriptome analysis, we define the molecular signatures associated with the emergence of human NC cells of distinct axial identities. Collectively, our findings indicate that a post-cranial NC state is achieved through two different routes: the birth of cardiac and vagal NC is facilitated by retinoic acid-induced posteriorisation of an anterior precursor whereas a trunk fate relies on a posterior axial progenitor intermediate.
Project description:The neural crest (NC) is a multipotent embryonic cell population that generates distinct cell types in an axial position-dependent manner. The production of NC cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is a valuable approach to study human NC biology. However, the origin of human trunk NC remains undefined and current in vitro differentiation strategies induce only a modest yield of trunk NC cells. Here we show that hPSC-derived axial progenitors, the posteriorly-located drivers of embryonic axis elongation, give rise to trunk NC cells and their derivatives. Moreover, we define the molecular signatures associated with the emergence of human NC cells of distinct axial identities in vitro. Collectively, our findings indicate that there are two routes toward a human post-cranial NC state: the birth of cardiac and vagal NC is facilitated by retinoic acid-induced posteriorisation of an anterior precursor whereas trunk NC arises within a pool of posterior axial progenitors.
Project description:Ectoderm-derived neural crest is a transient structure arising during early embryogenesis in vertebrates. Neural crest consists of four derivatives based on their anterior- to posterior location along the body axis; cranial, vagal, trunk and sacral, respectively. We recently showed that trunk neural crest-specific gene MOXD1 functions as a tumor suppressor in trunk neural crest-derived childhood cancer form neuroblastoma and is essential for proper development of healthy adrenal glands. However, the role of MOXD1 during early embryogenesis is not known. Here, we conditionally knocked out MOXD1 in trunk neural crest cells before they become lineage-committed, using a CRISPR/Cas9 approach in chick embryos. Assessment of embryo growth showed that knockout of MOXD1 delayed development with knockout embryos being smaller. RNA sequencing of trunk-derived neural crest cells from control and knockout embryos showed enrichment of genes connected to gland development, copper ion metabolism and neuroblastoma progression. In conclusion, MOXD1 is important during early and prolonged embryonic development with effects on gland formation, possibly mediated via its role in copper metabolism.
Project description:A Tetracycline (Tet)-inducible TBXT shRNA human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line was treated with WNT and FGF agonists in the presence and absence of Tet for three days to generate NMP-like axial progenitors
Project description:We report that cancer associated protein HIF-2a is expressed in trunk neural crest neuroblastoma precursor cells in the developing embryo in three different species; human, mouse and avian. Dysregulation of HIF-2a leads to alterations in embryonic development, and neural crest cell migration, proliferation and self-renewal capacity. With RNAsequencing we report that alterations of HIF-2a expression affects the global transcriptome and that gene ontology enrich for the same processes observed in vivo.
Project description:In vertebrate embryos, anterior tissues are generated early, followed by the other axial structures that emerge sequentially from a posterior growth zone. The genetic network driving posterior axial elongation in mice, and its disturbance in mutants with posterior truncation are not yet fully understood. We show that the combined expression of Cdx2 and T Brachyury is essential to establish the core signature of posterior axial progenitors. Cdx2 and T Brachyury are required for extension of a similar trunk portion of the axis. Simultaneous loss of function of these two genes disrupts axial elongation to a much greater extent than each single mutation alone. We identify and validate common targets for Cdx2 and T Brachyury in vivo including Wnt and Fgf pathway components active in the axial progenitor niche. Our data demonstrate that integration of the Cdx/Hox and T Brachyury transcriptional networks controls differential axial growth during vertebrate trunk elongation.
Project description:Neural crest cells migrate extensively in vertebrate embryos to populate diverse derivatives including ganglia of the peripheral nervous system. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms that tell migrating trunk neural crest cells to settle at selected sites in the embryo by ceasing migration and initiating differentiation programs.