The neural crest is a source of mesenchymal stem cells with specialized hematopoietic stem cell niche function

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.03696
• Publication Date: 2014-09-25T11:39:57Z
• Authors: Joan Isern; Andrés García-García; Ana M Martín; Lorena Arranz; Daniel Martín-Pérez; Carlos Torroja; Fátima Sánchez-Cabo; Simón Méndez-Ferrer
• Keywords: Nestin

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and osteolineage contribute to the hematopoietic cell (HSC) niche in bone marrow of long bones. However, their developmental relationships remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that different MSC populations developing bones have distinct functions. Proliferative mesoderm-derived nestin− MSCs participate fetal skeletogenesis lose activity soon after birth. contrast, quiescent neural crest-derived nestin+ preserve activity, but do not generate chondrocytes. Instead, they differentiate into HSC niche-forming MSCs, helping establish by secreting Cxcl12. Perineural migration these requires ErbB3 receptor. The neonatal Nestin-GFP+ Pdgfrα− population also contains Schwann precursors, does comprise mature cells. Thus, share a common origin with sympathetic peripheral neurons glial cells, ontogenically non-overlapping functions endochondrogenesis formation.