期刊名称:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
印刷版ISSN:0027-8424
电子版ISSN:1091-6490
出版年度:2019
卷号:116
期号:30
页码:15068-15073
DOI:10.1073/pnas.1900038116
出版社:The National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
摘要:Immature multipotent embryonic peripheral glial cells, the Schwann cell precursors (SCPs), differentiate into melanocytes, parasympathetic neurons, chromaffin cells, and dental mesenchymal populations. Here, genetic lineage tracing revealed that, during murine embryonic development, some SCPs detach from nerve fibers to become mesenchymal cells, which differentiate further into chondrocytes and mature osteocytes. This occurred only during embryonic development, producing numerous craniofacial and trunk skeletal elements, without contributing to development of the appendicular skeleton. Formation of chondrocytes from SCPs also occurred in zebrafish, indicating evolutionary conservation. Our findings reveal multipotency of SCPs, providing a developmental link between the nervous system and skeleton.