Migratory Activities of Neural Crest-Derived Pigment Cells in Vitro

Abstract

Neural crest cells give rise to a diversity of cell types, including all dermal and epidermal pigment cells. Although many mechanisms control neural crest cell development, specific factors that affect the ability of each neural crest cell to migrate remain unknown.  This research presents in vitro studies designed to determine the mechanisms involved in migration of neural crest-derived pigment cells originating from different axial levels in wild type axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum).  The present study provides evidence for the contribution of various cellular activities such as migration rate and degree of persistence of movement to the region-specific responses observed in neural crest-derived pigment cell lineages.

Keywords: neural crest, cell culture, pigment cell.