ErbB expressing Schwann cells control lateral line progenitor cells via non-cell-autonomous regulation of Wnt/β-catenin

Elife. 2014 Mar 18:3:e01832. doi: 10.7554/eLife.01832.

Abstract

Proper orchestration of quiescence and activation of progenitor cells is crucial during embryonic development and adult homeostasis. We took advantage of the zebrafish sensory lateral line to define niche-progenitor interactions to understand how integration of diverse signaling pathways spatially and temporally regulates the coordination of these processes. Our previous studies demonstrated that Schwann cells play a crucial role in negatively regulating lateral line progenitor proliferation. Here we demonstrate that ErbB/Neuregulin signaling is not only required for Schwann cell migration but that it plays a continued role in postmigratory Schwann cells. ErbB expressing Schwann cells inhibit lateral line progenitor proliferation and differentiation through non-cell-autonomous inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Subsequent activation of Fgf signaling controls sensory organ differentiation, but not progenitor proliferation. In addition to the lateral line, these findings have important implications for understanding how niche-progenitor cells segregate interactions during development, and how they may go wrong in disease states. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01832.001.

Keywords: glia; neuromast; stem cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Cell Communication* / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Genotype
  • Lateral Line System / cytology
  • Lateral Line System / drug effects
  • Lateral Line System / metabolism*
  • Mutation
  • Neural Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Neural Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Neuregulins / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism
  • Schwann Cells / drug effects
  • Schwann Cells / metabolism*
  • Stem Cell Niche
  • Time Factors
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway* / drug effects
  • Zebrafish / genetics
  • Zebrafish / metabolism
  • Zebrafish Proteins / genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins / metabolism*
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Neuregulins
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • beta Catenin
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • ErbB Receptors