Neural crest stem cells undergo multilineage differentiation in developing peripheral nerves to generate endoneurial fibroblasts in addition to Schwann cells

Neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) persist in peripheral nerves throughout late gestation but their function is unknown. Current models of nerve development only consider the generation of Schwann cells from neural crest, but the presence of NCSCs raises the possibility of multilineage differentiation. We performed Cre-recombinase fate mapping to determine which nerve cells are neural crest derived. Endoneurial fibroblasts, in addition to myelinating and non-myelinating Schwann cells, were neural crest derived, whereas perineurial cells, pericytes and endothelial cells were not. This identified endoneurial fibroblasts as a novel neural crest derivative, and demonstrated that trunk neural crest does give rise to fibroblasts in vivo, consistent with previous studies of trunk NCSCs in culture. The multilineage differentiation of NCSCs into glial and non-glial derivatives in the developing nerve appears to be regulated by neuregulin, notch ligands, and bone morphogenic proteins, as these factors are expressed in the developing nerve, and cause nerve NCSCs to generate Schwann cells and fibroblasts, but not neurons, in culture. Nerve development is thus more complex than was previously thought, involving NCSC self-renewal, lineage commitment and multilineage differentiation.     

Neuron-schwann cell interaction in basal lamina formation

The availability of tissue culture systems that allow the growth of nerve cells, Schwann cells, and fibroblasts separately or in various combinations now makes possible investigation of the role of cell interactions in the development of the peripheral nervous system. Using these systems it was earlier found that basal lamina is formed on the Schwann cell surface in cultures of sensory ganglion cells and Schwann cells without fibroblasts. It is here reported that the presence of nerve cells is required for the generation of basal lamina on the Schwann cell plasmalemma. Utilizing nerve cell-Schwann cell preparations devoid of fibroblasts, this was found in the following ways. (1) When nerve cells are removed from 3- to 5-week-old cultures, the basal lamina disappears from Schwann cells. (2) If nerve cells are added back to such Schwann cell populations, Schwann cell basal lamina reappears. (3) Removal of nerve cells from older (3–4 months) cultures does not lead to basal lamina loss; areas presumed not to have been coated with lamina before neurite degeneration remain so, suggesting that the lamina persists but is not reformed. (4) If basal lamina is removed with trypsin, it is reformed in neuron plus Schwann cell cultures but not in Schwann cell populations alone. Thus, the formation but not the persistence of Schwann cell basal lamina requires the presence of nerve cells.     

成年大鼠嗅鞘细胞与嗅觉神经成纤维细胞的原代培养及鉴定

目的 建立一种原代提取嗅鞘细胞与嗅觉神经成纤维细胞混合培养的方法.方法 自2.5月龄SD大鼠嗅球最外两层分离嗅鞘细胞和嗅觉神经成纤维细胞进行混合培养,并不进行纯化,分别于7 d、10 d、14 d行免疫细胞化学鉴定,并计算各个时间点嗅鞘细胞的纯度.结果 体外培养的嗅鞘细胞主要呈两极或多极状,而嗅觉神经成纤维细胞则成扁平的像成纤维细胞的形态,免疫细胞化学结果显示嗅鞘细胞呈p75 NGFR阳性,嗅觉神经成纤维细胞呈fibronectin阳性,两种细胞都呈vimentin阳性,在7 d、10 d、14 d各个时间点嗅鞘细胞分别占混合培养的34.1%、25.6%、8.6%.结论 从成年大鼠嗅球最外两层分离的培养中主要包含嗅鞘细胞和嗅觉神经成纤维细胞,嗅鞘细胞在混合培养中所占的比例随培养时间的延长而逐渐降低.     

Development of a scaffoldless three-dimensional engineered nerve using a nerve-fibroblast co-culture

Nerve grafts are often required to replace tissue damaged by disease, surgery, or extensive trauma. Limitations such as graft availability, donor site morbidity, and immune rejection have led investigators to develop strategies to engineer nerve tissue. The goal of this study was to fabricate a scaffoldless three-dimensional (3D) nerve construct using a co-culture of fetal nerve cells with a fibroblast monolayer and allow the co-culture to remodel into a 3D construct with an external fibroblast layer and an internal core of interconnected neuronal cells. Primary fibroblasts were seeded on laminin-coated plates and allowed to form a confluent monolayer. Neural cells isolated from E-15 spinal cords were seeded on top of the fibroblast monolayer and allowed to form a networked monolayer across the monolayer of fibroblasts. Media shifts initiated contraction of the fibroblast monolayer and a remodeling of the co-culture into a 3D construct held statically in place by the two constraint pins. Immunohistochemistry using S100 (Schwann cell), β3-tubulin, DAPI, and collagen I indicated an inner core of nerve cells surrounded by an external layer of fibroblasts. Conduction velocities of the 3D nerve and control (fibroblast-only) constructs were measured in vitro and compared to in vivo measures of neonatal sciatic nerve. The conduction velocities of the nerve constructs were comparable to 24-d-old neonatal nerve. The presence of Schwann cells and the ability to conduct neuronal signals in vitro suggest the scaffoldless 3D nerve constructs will be a viable option for nerve repair.     

Outgrowing nerves in the foreleg of a mouse embryo as viewed by three-dimensional reconstruction from electron micrographs

Electron micrographs from serial cross-sections of 12-day-old mouse forelegs were digitized and three-dimensional reconstruction of the data was carried out on an Apple Macintosh Quadra 700 computer using a program especially designed for this purpose. Two nerve endings of the palmar net of the median nerve were visualized together with their accompanying Schwann cells and the surrounding processes of fibroblasts. Naked axons invade straightly into the embryonic connective tissue and serve as contact guidance for the Schwann cells to follow. Fibroblasts with long processes extend around the axons with a parallel orientation. Contacts between axons and fibroblasts are occasionally observed. It is unclear whether the parallel orientation of nerve endings and fibroblast extensions have any biological significance.     

An analysis of the interactions between sympathetic nerve fibers and smooth muscle cells in tissue culture

The interactions between sympathetic nerve fibers and smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts from the newborn guinea pig vas deferens were studied in tissue culture with phase contrast microscopy, time-lapse microcinematography, catecholamine fluorescence histochemistry and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The amount of sympathetic nerve fiber growth, its catecholamine fluorescence reaction and the size of the nerve cell bodies and their nuclei all increased in the presence of vas deferens tissue. Specific growth of nerve fibers to large clumps of vas deferens tissue was seen from distances of up to 2 mm. In contrast, no specific growth from a distance occurred to single cells or small groups of cells. However, random contact with a muscle cell often led to close, extensive, and long-lasting associations. Contact with fibroblasts was always transitory.The rate of sympathetic nerve fiber growth over individual muscle cells was faster than over fibroblasts, which, in turn, was faster than over the collagen-coated surface of the coverslip. Palpation of a muscle cell by a nerve fiber growth cone increased the rate of spontaneous contraction of the muscle cell, the extent of the increase being dependent on the number of nerve fibers involved. Multiple innervation of a smooth muscle cell occurred if nerve fibers reached the cell at about the same time, but not if there was a close association already established. These results are discussed in relation to possible interactions of sympathetic nerve fibers with smooth muscle cells in vivo.     

Developmental changes in the ultrastructure of the lamprey lateral line nerve during metamorphosis

The ultrastructure of the trunk lateral line nerve of larval and adult lampreys was studied with transmission electron microscopy. We confirmed that lampreys' lateral line nerve lacks myelin. Nevertheless, all axons were wrapped by Schwann cell processes. In the larval nerve, gaps between Schwann cells were observed, where the axolemma was covered only by a basal lamina, indicating an earlier developmental stage. In the adult nerve, glial (Schwann cell) ensheathment was mostly complete. Additionally, we observed variable ratios of axons to Schwann cells in larval and adult preparations. In the larval nerve, smaller axons were wrapped by one Schwann cell. Occasionally, a single Schwann cell surrounded two axons. Larger axons were associated with two to five Schwann cells. In the adult nerve, smaller axons were surrounded by one, but larger axons by three to eight Schwann cells. The larval epineurium contained large adipose cells, separated from each other by single fibroblast processes. This layer of adipose tissue was reduced in adult preparation. The larval perineurium was thin, and the fibroblasts, containing large amounts of glycogen granules, were arranged loosely. The adult perineurium was thicker, consisting of at least three layers of fibroblasts separated by collagen fibrils. The larval and adult endoneurium contained collagen fibrils oriented orthogonally to each other. Both larval and adult lateral line nerves possessed a number of putative fascicles weakly defined by a thin layer of perineurial fibroblasts. These results indicate that after a prolonged larval stage, the lamprey lateral line nerve is subjected to additional maturation processes during metamorphosis. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Bone morphogenic protein-7 induces mesenchymal to epithelial transition in adult renal fibroblasts and facilitates regeneration of injured kidney

In the kidney, a unique plasticity exists between epithelial and mesenchymal cells. During kidney development, the metanephric mesenchyme contributes to emerging epithelium of the nephron via mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET). In the injured adult kidney, renal epithelia contribute to the generation of fibroblasts via epithelial-mesenchymal transition, facilitating renal fibrosis. Recombinant human bone morphogenic protein (BMP)-7, a morphogen that is essential for the conversion of epithelia from condensing mesenchyme during kidney development, enhances the repair of tubular structures in the kidney. In this setting, BMP-7 inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition involving adult renal epithelial tubular cells and decreases secretion of type I collagen by adult renal fibroblasts. In search of a mechanism behind the ability of BMP-7 to repair damaged renal tubules, we hypothesized that systemic treatment with BMP-7 might induce MET involving adult renal fibroblasts in the injured kidney, generating functional epithelial cells. Here we report that BMP-7 induces formation of epithelial cell aggregates in adult renal fibroblasts associated with reacquisition of E-cadherin expression and decreased motility, mimicking the effect of BMP-7 on embryonic metanephric mesenchyme to generate epithelium. In addition, we provide evidence that BMP-7-mediated repair of renal injury is associated with MET involving adult renal interstitial fibroblasts in mouse models for renal fibrosis. Collectively, these findings suggest that adult renal fibroblasts might retain parts of their original embryonic imprint and plasticity, which can be re-engaged by systemic administration of BMP-7 to mediate repair of tubular injury in a fibrotic kidney.     

Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor produced in lesioned peripheral nerves induces the up-regulation of cell surface expression of MAC-2 by macrophages and Schwann cells

Peripheral nerve injury is followed by Wallerian degeneration which is characterized by cellular and molecular events that turn the degenerating nerve into a tissue that supports nerve regeneration. One of these is the removal, by phagocytosis, of myelin that contains molecules which inhibit regeneration. We have recently documented that the scavenger macrophage and Schwann cells express the galactose- specific lectin MAC-2 which is significant to myelin phagocytosis. In the present study we provide evidence for a mechanism leading to the augmented expression of cell surface MAC-2. Nerve lesion causes noneuronal cells, primarily fibroblasts, to produce the cytokine granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). In turn, GM- CSF induces Schwann cells and macrophages to up-regulate surface expression of MAC-2. The proposed mechanism is based on the following novel observations. GM-CSF mRNA was detected by PCR in in vitro and in vivo degenerating nerves, but not in intact nerves. The GM-CSF molecule was detected by ELISA in medium conditioned by in vitro and in vivo degenerating peripheral nerves as of the 4th h after injury. GM-CSF activity was demonstrated by two independent bioassays, and repressed by activity blocking antibodies. Significant levels of GM-CSF were produced by nerve derived fibroblasts, but neither by Schwann cells nor by nerve derived macrophages. Mouse rGM-CSF enhanced MAC-2 production in nerve explants, and up-regulated cell surface expression of MAC-2 by Schwann cells and macrophages. Interleukin-1 beta up-regulated GM-CSF production thus suggesting that injury induced GM-CSF production may be mediated by interleukin-1 beta. Our findings highlight the fact that fibroblasts, by producing GM-CSF and thereby affecting macrophage and Schwann function, play a significant role in the cascade of molecular events and cellular interactions of Wallerian degeneration.     

Nerve independent limb induction in axolotls

Urodele amphibians can regenerate their limbs. During limb regeneration, dermal fibroblasts are transformed into undifferentiated cells called blastema cells. These dermis–blastema cells show multipotency. Such so-called endogenous reprogramming of cell differentiation is one of the main targets of amphibian limb regeneration studies. It is well recognized that nerve presence controls the initiation of limb regeneration. Accordingly, nerve factors have been sought in amphibian limb regeneration. To investigate it, a relatively new study system called the accessory limb model (ALM) was developed. Using ALM, two signaling cascades (Fgf and Gdf5 signaling) came under focus. In the present study, Growth and differentiation factor-5 (Gdf5) application to wounded skin initiated limb regeneration responses and resulted in induction of a blastema-like structure in the absence of a nerve. However, the Gdf5-induced structure showed defects as a regeneration blastema, such as absence of detectable Prrx1 expression by in situ hybridization. The defects could be remedied by additional Fibroblasts growth factor (Fgf) inputs. These two inputs (Gdf5 and Fgfs) were sufficient to substitute for the nerve functions in the induction of limb regeneration. Indeed, Fgf2, Fgf8, and Gdf5 applications with the contralateral skin graft resulted in limb formation without nerve supply. Furthermore, acquisition of cartilage differentiation potential of dermal fibroblasts was tested in an in vivo and in vitro combination assay. Dermal fibroblasts cultured with Gdf5 were difficult to participate in cartilage formation when the cultured cells were grafted into cartilage forming region. In contrast, dermal fibroblasts cultured with Fgf2 and Fgf8 became easier to participate into cartilage formation in the same procedure. These results contribute to our understanding of molecular mechanisms of the early phase of amphibian limb regeneration.     

Detection of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-like activity in fibroblasts and Schwann cells: inhibition by antibodies to NGF

mRNA coding for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been detected in cultured L929 fibroblasts, rat dermal fibroblasts, and sciatic nerve Schwann cells, as well as in rat skin. Medium conditioned by cultured fibroblasts and Schwann cells also stimulates neurite growth from retinal explants and promotes the survival in culture of BDNF-responsive sensory neurons; biological activity is abolished by antibodies raised against NGF. These results suggest that molecules with BDNF-like activity may be produced by cells in the peripheral nervous system and that the BDNF-like activity in fibroblasts and Schwann cells is derived from molecules immunologically related to NGF. In support of this concept, antibodies against NGF have been found to reduce the biological activity of recombinant BDNF in culture and to cross-react with BDNF on Western blots.     

Cellular migration and axonal outgrowth from adult mammalian peripheral nerves in vitro

It is known that following peripheral nerve transections, sheath cells proliferate and migrate to form a bridge between nerve stumps, which may facilitate axonal regeneration. In the present investigations, cellular migration and axonal outgrowth from nerves of adult mice were studied in vitro using collagen gels. During the first 3 days in culture, profuse migration of fibroblasts and macrophages occurred from the ends of sciatic nerve segments, which had been lesioned in situ a few days prior to explanation, but not from segments of normal nerves. The mechanism of cellular activation in the lesioned nerves was not determined, but migration was blocked by suramin, which inhibits the actions of several growth factors. The migrating cells, which form the bridge tissue, may promote axonal regeneration in two ways. Firstly, axonal outgrowth from isolated intercostal nerves was significantly increased in co-cultures with bridges from lesioned sciatic nerves. This stimulatory effect was inhibited by antibodies to 2.5S nerve growth factor. Secondly, the segments of bridge tissue contracted when removed from animals. It is possible that fibroblasts within the bridge exert traction that would tend to pull the lesioned stumps of peripheral nerve together, as in the healing of skin wounds. The traction may also influence deposition of extracellular matrix materials, such as collagen fibrils, which could orient the growth of the regenerating axons toward the distal nerve stump. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Localization of NK1 receptors and roles of substance-P in subepithelial fibroblasts of rat intestinal villi

Subepithelial fibroblasts of the intestinal villi, which form a contractile cellular network beneath the epithelium, are in close contact with epithelial cells, nerve varicosities, capillaries, smooth muscles and immune cells, and secrete extracellular matrix molecules, growth factors and cytokines, etc. Cultured subepithelial fibroblasts of the rat duodenal villi display various receptors such as endothelins, ATP, substance-P and bradykinin, and release ATP in response to mechanical stimulation. In this study, the presence of functional NK1 receptors (NK1R) was pharmacologically confirmed in primary culture by Ca(2+) measurement, and the effects of substance-P were measured in an acute preparation of epithelium-free duodenal villi from 2- to 3-week-old rats using a two-photon laser microscope. Substance-P elicited an increase in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration and contraction of the subepithelial fibroblasts in culture and the isolated villi. The localization of NK1R and substance-P in the villi was examined by light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry. NK1R-like immunoreactivity was intensely localized on the plasma membrane of villous subepithelial fibroblasts in 10-day- to 4-week-old rats and mice and was decreased or absent in adulthood. The pericryptal fibroblasts of the small and large intestine were NK1R immuno-negative. These villous subepithelial fibroblasts form synapse-like structures with both substance-P-immunopositive and -immunonegative nerve varicosities. Here, we propose that the mutual interaction between villous subepithelial fibroblasts and afferent neurons via substance-P and ATP plays important roles in the maturation of the structure and function of the small intestine.     

Radicicol Potentiates Neurotrophin-Mediated Neurite Outgrowth and Survival of Cultured Sensory Neurons from Chick Embryo

Radicicol, an antifungal antibiotic with markedly low toxicity, is a potent inhibitor of the Src family of protein tyrosine kinases and causes morphological reversion of v-src-transformed fibroblasts. Recently, this antibiotic was also found to inhibit Raf kinase. In the present study, we found that nanomolar concentrations of radicicol (10 ng/ml) enhanced the survival and neurite outgrowth of neurons from embryonic chick dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) and sympathetic ganglia. It potentiated the trophic effects of nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin-3 on the cultured DRG neurons. This concentration of radicicol did not alter the tyrosine phosphorylation of Trk receptors or the activity of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. Wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase), did not inhibit radicicol, excluding the involvement of PI3-kinase in the radicicol-dependent trophic actions. These results suggest that radicicol mediates neuronal growth presumably via a mechanism not involving the activation of Trk receptors, MAP kinase, or PI3-kinase.     

Neural cell adhesion molecule mediates initial interactions between spinal cord neurons and muscle cells in culture

Previous studies in this laboratory have described a cell surface glycoprotein, called neural cell adhesion molecule or N-CAM, that appears to be a ligand in the adhesion between neural membranes. N-CAM antigenic determinants were also shown to be present on embryonic muscle and an N-CAM-dependent adhesion was demonstrated between retinal cell membranes and muscle cells in short-term assays. The present studies indicate that these antigenic determinants are associated with the N-CAM polypeptide, and that rapid adhesion mediated by this molecule occurs between spinal cord membranes and muscle cells. Detailed examination of the effects of anti-(N-CAM) Fab' fragments in cultures of spinal cord with skeletal muscle showed that the Fab' fragments specifically block adhesion of spinal cord neurites and cells to myotubes. The Fab' did not affect binding of neurites to fibroblasts and collagen substrate, and did not alter myotube morphology. These results indicate that N-CAM adhesion is essential for the in vitro establishment of physical associations between nerve and muscle, and suggest that binding involving N-CAM may be an important early step in synaptogenesis.     

Ensheathment of the olfactory nerves in the adult rat

The ensheathment of the olfactory nerve fibres is achieved by cooperation of two cell types. The olfactory ensheathing cells have a rounded outer surface enclosed in a continuous single basal lamina, and enclose an inner compartment from which overlapping processes of the same and adjacent cells enwrap interweaving territories of tightly apposed aligned axons. The olfactory nerve fibroblasts are highly flattened, dense cells generating multiple layers of very thin processes encircling individual or groups of olfactory ensheathing cells. This paper illustrates the unique ultrastructural features of this ensheathment.