The diverse neural crest: from embryology to human pathology

Heather Etchevers (1) , Elisabeth Dupin (2) , Nicole Le Douarin (2)

1 MMG - Marseille medical genetics - Centre de génétique médicale de Marseille
2 Institut de la Vision

We review here some of the historical highlights in exploratory studies of the vertebrate embryonic structure known as the neural crest. The study of the molecular properties of the cells that it produces, their migratory capacities and plasticity, and the still-growing list of tissues that depend on their presence for form and function, continue to enrich our understanding of congenital malformations, pediatric cancers and evolutionary biology. Developmental biology has been key to our understanding of the neural crest, starting with the early days of experimental embryology and through to today, where increasingly powerful technologies contribute to further insight into this fascinating vertebrate cell population.

Mots clés: neural crest; peripheral nervous system; multiple endocrine neoplasia; Hirschsprung disease; enteric nervous system; endothelin; dorsal root ganglion; embryo; Waardenburg syndrome; Schwann cell precursor; rhombomere; DRG; embryonic day; EDN; ENS; HSCR; MEN; NC; PNS; QCPN; Quail non Chick Peri-Nuclear; SCP; WS

Domaines: Interactions cellulaires [q-bio.CB]; Organes des sens; Pédiatrie; Dermatologie; Cardiologie et système cardiovasculaire; Génétique animale; Génétique humaine; Embryologie et organogenèse

Heather Etchevers, Elisabeth Dupin, Nicole Le Douarin. The diverse neural crest: from embryology to human pathology. Development (Cambridge, England), In press. ⟨hal-01851974v2⟩