Abstract
The neural crest-derived precursors of the sympathoadrenal lineage depend on environmental cues to differentiate as sympathetic neurons and pheochromocytes. We have used the monoclonal antibody A2B5 as a marker for neuronal differentiation and antisera against catecholamine synthesis enzymes to investigate the differentiation of catecholaminergic cells in cultures of quail neural crest cells. Cells corresponding phenotypically to sympathetic neurons and pheochromocytes can be identified in neural crest cell cultures after 5-6 days in vitro. Expression of the A2B5 antigen precedes expression of immunocytochemically detectable levels of tyrosine hydroxylase in cultured neural crest cells. Glucocorticoid treatment decreases the proportion of TH+ neural crest cells that express neuronal traits. We conclude that environmental cues normally encountered by sympathoadrenal precursors in vivo can influence the differentiation of a subpopulation of cultured neural crest cells in the sympathoadrenal lineage.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 13-23 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Developmental Biology |
Volume | 139 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 1990 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology