Abstract
Fate determination of neural crest cells is an essential step for the development of different crest cell derivatives. Peripheral glia development is marked by the choice of the neural crest cells to differentiate along glial lineages. The molecular mechanism underlying fate acquisition is poorly understood. However, recent advances have identified different transcription factors and genes required for the complex instructive signaling process that comprise both local environmental and cell intrinsic cues. Among others, at least the roles of Sox10, Notch, and neuregulin 1 have been documented in both in vivo and in vitro models. Cooperative interactions of such factors appear to be necessary for the switch from multipotent neural crest cells to glial lineage precursors in the peripheral nervous system. This review summarizes recent advances in the understanding of fate determination of neural crest cells into different glia subtypes, together with the potential implications in regenerative medicine.
•An intrinsic NCSC differentiation program may pre-determine NCSC lineages.•Microenvironment originating key signaling molecules also affect NCSC fate.•NCSC-derived progenitors could be directed to other NCSC derivative stem cell types.•Unraveling mechanisms determining NCSCs fate is crucial in regenerative medicine.