Dynamic migratory behaviors of neural crest cells in the mouse hindgut

摘要: Hirschsprung's disease in humans is characterized by the absence or reduction of enteric ganglia in the distal part of the colon. It is known that all enteric ganglia in the distal colon originate from neural crest cells (NCCs) at both vagal and sacral levels. To better understand the formation of enteric ganglia within the hindgut (embryonic mouse distal colon), we examined the dynamic movements of both vagal and sacral NCCs and their interactions with time‐lapse live imaging on explanted embryonic gut tissues ex vivo. NCCs were genetically labelled with GFP or photo‐convertible Edrnb‐KikumeGR fluorescent proteins. We found that while vagal NCCs migrated in chains and formed strands of cells within the hindgut, sacral NCCs moved individually along the nerve fibers extending from the pelvic plexus. When a sacral NCC met a vagal NCC, they paused, interacted with each other and then the vagal NCC pushed …