Detailed analysis of chick optic fissure closure reveals Netrin-1 as an essential mediator of epithelial fusion.

ABSTRACT: Epithelial fusion underlies many vital organogenic processes during embryogenesis. Disruptions to these cause a significant number of human birth defects, including ocular coloboma. We provide robust spatial-temporal staging and unique anatomical detail of optic fissure closure (OFC) in the embryonic chick, including evidence for roles of apoptosis and epithelial remodelling. We performed complementary transcriptomic profiling and show that Netrin-1 (NTN1) is precisely expressed in the chick fissure margin during fusion but is immediately downregulated after fusion. We further provide a combination of protein localisation and phenotypic evidence in chick, humans, mice and zebrafish that Netrin-1 has an evolutionarily conserved and essential requirement for OFC, and is likely

SUBMITTER: Hardy H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6606025 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature