Apical contacts stemming from incomplete delamination guide progenitor cell allocation through a dragging mechanism

Pulgar E., Schwayer C., Guerrero N., López L., Márquez S, Härtel S., Soto R., Heisenberg CP. And ML Concha

Abstract

The developmental strategies used by progenitor cells to allow a safe journey from their induction place towards the site of terminal differentiation are still poorly understood. Here, we uncovered a mechanism of progenitor cell allocation that stems from an incomplete process of epithelial delamination that allows progenitors to coordinate their movement with adjacent extra-embryonic tissues. Progenitors of the zebrafish laterality organ originate from the superficial epithelial enveloping layer by an apical constriction process of cell delamination. During this process, progenitors retain long-lasting apical contacts that enable the epithelial layer to pull a subset of progenitors on their way to the vegetal pole. The remaining delaminated cells follow the movement of apically attached progenitors by a protrusion-dependent cell-cell contact mechanism, avoiding sequestration by the adjacent endoderm, ensuring their collective fate and allocation at the site of differentiation. Thus, we reveal that incomplete delamination serves as a cellular platform for coordinated tissue movements during development.

Más información

Título de la Revista: ELIFE
Volumen: 10
Número: e66483
Editorial: eLIFE SCIENCES PUBL LTD
Fecha de publicación: 2021
URL: https://elifesciences.org/articles/66483
DOI:

DOI: 10.7554/eLife.66483