Embryonic neurons of the developing optic chiasm express L1 and CD44, cell surface molecules with opposing effects on retinal axon growth

Neuron. 1994 May;12(5):957-75. doi: 10.1016/0896-6273(94)90307-7.

Abstract

The first retinal ganglion cell axons arriving at the embryonic mouse ventral diencephalon encounter an inverted V-shaped neuronal array defining the midline and posterior boundaries of the future optic chiasm. These neurons express L1, an immunoglobulin superfamily molecule known to promote retinal axon outgrowth, and CD44, a cell surface molecule that we find inhibits embryonic retinal axon growth in vitro. Incoming retinal axons do not penetrate this L1/CD44 neuron array, but turn to establish the characteristic X-shaped optic chiasm along the anterior border of this array. These results suggest that L1/CD44 neurons may serve as an anatomical template for retinal axon pathways at the embryonic mouse ventral diencephalon.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axons / physiology*
  • Base Sequence
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • Carrier Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / biosynthesis
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / physiology*
  • Cell Division
  • DNA Primers
  • Diencephalon / embryology
  • Diencephalon / physiology*
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Embryonic and Fetal Development
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Gestational Age
  • Hyaluronan Receptors
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Lymphocytes / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / analysis
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Optic Chiasm / embryology
  • Optic Chiasm / physiology*
  • Organ Culture Techniques
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Pregnancy
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / physiology*
  • Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / physiology*
  • Retina / embryology*
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / cytology
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / physiology*

Substances

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • DNA Primers
  • Hyaluronan Receptors
  • Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing