Sonic hedgehog signaling regulates a novel epithelial progenitor domain of the hindbrain choroid plexus

Development. 2009 Aug;136(15):2535-43. doi: 10.1242/dev.033795. Epub 2009 Jul 1.

Abstract

Choroid plexuses (ChPs) are vascularized secretory organs involved in the regulation of brain homeostasis, and function as the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier. Despite their crucial roles, there is limited understanding of the regulatory mechanism driving ChP development. Sonic hedgehog (Shh), a secreted signal crucial for embryonic development and cancer, is strongly expressed in the differentiated hindbrain ChP epithelium (hChPe). However, we identify a distinct epithelial domain in the hChP that does not express Shh, but displays Shh signaling. We find that this distinct Shh target field that adjoins a germinal zone, the lower rhombic lip (LRL), functions as a progenitor domain by contributing directly to the hChPe. By conditional Shh mutant analysis, we show that Shh signaling regulates hChPe progenitor proliferation and hChPe expansion through late embryonic development, starting around E12.5. Whereas previous studies show that direct contribution to the hChPe by the LRL ceases around E14, our findings reveal a novel tissue-autonomous role for Shh production and signaling in driving the continual growth and expansion of the hindbrain choroid plexus throughout development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Choroid Plexus / cytology*
  • Choroid Plexus / embryology
  • Choroid Plexus / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology*
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • Growth Differentiation Factors / metabolism
  • Hedgehog Proteins / metabolism*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Integrases / metabolism
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Rhombencephalon / cytology*
  • Rhombencephalon / embryology
  • Rhombencephalon / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Transcription Factors
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism
  • Zinc Finger Protein GLI1

Substances

  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
  • Gdf7 protein, mouse
  • Gli1 protein, mouse
  • Growth Differentiation Factors
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins
  • Lmx1a protein, mouse
  • Shh protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Zinc Finger Protein GLI1
  • Cre recombinase
  • Integrases