Lmx1a is a master regulator of the cortical hem.

Development of the nervous system depends on signaling centers - specialized cellular populations that produce secreted molecules to regulate neurogenesis in the neighboring neuroepithelium. In some cases, signaling center cells also differentiate to produce key types of neurons. The formation of a signaling center involves its induction, the maintenance of expression of its secreted molecules, and cell differentiation and migration events. How these distinct processes are coordinated during signaling center development remains unknown. By performing studies in mice, we show that Lmx1a acts as a master regulator to orchestrate the formation and function of the cortical hem (CH), a critical signaling center that controls hippocampus development. Lmx1a co-regulates CH induction, its Wnt signaling, and the differentiation and migration of CH-derived Cajal-Retzius neurons. Combining RNAseq, genetic, and rescue experiments, we identified major downstream genes that mediate distinct Lmx1a-dependent processes. Our work revealed that signaling centers in the mammalian brain employ master regulatory genes and established a framework for analyzing signaling center development.

Ptf1a expression is necessary for correct targeting of spiral ganglion neurons within the cochlear nuclei.

Two transcription factors, Atoh1 and Ptf1a, are essential for cochlear nuclei development. Atoh1 is needed to develop glutamatergic neurons, while Ptf1a is required to generate glycinergic and GABAergic neurons that migrate into the cochlear nucleus. While central projections of inner ear afferents are normal following loss of Atoh1, we wanted to know whether the loss of Ptf1a affects central projections. We found that in Ptf1a mutants, initially, afferents show a normal projection; however, a transient posterior expansion of projections to the dorsal cochlear nucleus occurs at a later stage. In addition, in older (E18.5) Ptf1a mutant mice, excessive neuronal branches form beyond the normal projection to the anterior and posterior ventral cochlear nuclei. Our results on Ptf1a null mice are comparable to that observed in loss of function Prickel1, Npr2, or Fzd3 mouse mutants. The disorganized tonotopic projections that we report in Ptf1a mutant embryos might be functionally relevant, but testing this hypothesis requires Ptf1a KO mice at postnatal stages that unfortunately cannot be performed due to their early death.

Cerebellar development after preterm birth.

Preterm birth and its complications and the associated adverse factors, including brain hemorrhage, inflammation, and the side effects of medical treatments, are the leading causes of neurodevelopmental disability. Growing evidence suggests that preterm birth affects the cerebellum, which is the brain region involved in motor coordination, cognition, learning, memory, and social communication. The cerebellum is particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of preterm birth because key cerebellar developmental processes, including the proliferation of neural progenitors, and differentiation and migration of neurons, occur in the third trimester of a human pregnancy. This review discusses the negative impacts of preterm birth and its associated factors on cerebellar development, focusing on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate cerebellar pathology. A better understanding of the cerebellar developmental mechanisms affected by preterm birth is necessary for developing novel treatment and neuroprotective strategies to ameliorate the cognitive, behavioral, and motor deficits experienced by preterm subjects.

Unified rhombic lip origins of group 3 and group 4 medulloblastoma.

Medulloblastoma, a malignant childhood cerebellar tumour, segregates molecularly into biologically distinct subgroups, suggesting that a personalized approach to therapy would be beneficial1. Mouse modelling and cross-species genomics have provided increasing evidence of discrete, subgroup-specific developmental origins2. However, the anatomical and cellular complexity of developing human tissues3-particularly within the rhombic lip germinal zone, which produces all glutamatergic neuronal lineages before internalization into the cerebellar nodulus-makes it difficult to validate previous inferences that were derived from studies in mice. Here we use multi-omics to resolve the origins of medulloblastoma subgroups in the developing human cerebellum. Molecular signatures encoded within a human rhombic-lip-derived lineage trajectory aligned with photoreceptor and unipolar brush cell expression profiles that are maintained in group 3 and group 4 medulloblastoma, suggesting a convergent basis. A systematic diagnostic-imaging review of a prospective institutional cohort localized the putative anatomical origins of group 3 and group 4 tumours to the nodulus. Our results connect the molecular and phenotypic features of clinically challenging medulloblastoma subgroups to their unified beginnings in the rhombic lip in the early stages of human development.

Molecular ontology of the parabrachial nucleus.

Diverse neurons in the parabrachial nucleus (PB) communicate with widespread brain regions. Despite evidence linking them to a variety of homeostatic functions, it remains difficult to determine which PB neurons influence which functions because their subpopulations intermingle extensively. An improved framework for identifying these intermingled subpopulations would help advance our understanding of neural circuit functions linked to this region. Here, we present the foundation of a developmental-genetic ontology that classifies PB neurons based on their intrinsic, molecular features. By combining transcription factor labeling with Cre fate-mapping, we find that the PB is a blend of two, developmentally distinct macropopulations of glutamatergic neurons. Neurons in the first macropopulation express Lmx1b (and, to a lesser extent, Lmx1a) and are mutually exclusive with those in a second macropopulation, which derive from precursors expressing Atoh1. This second, Atoh1-derived macropopulation includes many Foxp2-expressing neurons, but Foxp2 also identifies a subset of Lmx1b-expressing neurons in the Kölliker-Fuse nucleus (KF) and a population of GABAergic neurons ventrolateral to the PB ("caudal KF"). Immediately ventral to the PB, Phox2b-expressing glutamatergic neurons (some coexpressing Lmx1b) occupy the KF, supratrigeminal nucleus, and reticular formation. We show that this molecular framework organizes subsidiary patterns of adult gene expression (including Satb2, Calca, Grp, and Pdyn) and predicts output projections to the amygdala (Lmx1b), hypothalamus (Atoh1), and hindbrain (Phox2b/Lmx1b). Using this molecular ontology to organize, interpret, and communicate PB-related information could accelerate the translation of experimental findings from animal models to human patients.

Organ Growth and Intestinal Functions of Preterm Pigs Fed Low and High Protein Formulas With or Without Supplemental Leucine or Hydroxymethylbutyrate as Growth Promoters.

The goal of enteral nutritional support for infants born preterm or small for gestational age (SGA) is to achieve normal growth and development. Yet, this is difficult to achieve because of intestinal immaturity. Our objective was to determine if birth weight, protein intake, and the growth promoters leucine (10 g/L) or calcium-ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutryate (HMB; 1.1 g/L) would affect trajectories of intestinal growth and functions and weights of other organs. Preterm pigs were delivered at gestational day 105 (91% of term) and fed for 6 or 7 days isocaloric formulas that differed in protein content (50 g or 100 g protein/L), with and without the growth promoters leucine or HMB. For comparative purposes organ weights were measured within 12 h after delivery for six term pigs of low and six of average birth weights. The responses of intestinal growth and total intestinal brush border membrane carbohydrases to protein level and supplemental leucine were of greater magnitude for preterm pigs of lower birth weight. Forskolin stimulated chloride secretion in the proximal small intestine was lower for pigs fed the low protein milk replacers. Capacities of the entire small intestine to transport glucose (mmol/kg-day) were not responsive to protein level, leucine, or HMB, and did not differ between small and large pigs. Relative organ weights of the small and average weight term pigs were similar, but some differed from those of the preterm pigs suggesting preterm birth and the standards of care used for this study altered the trajectories of development for the intestine and other organs. Although leucine is an effective generalized growth promoter that enhances gut development of small preterm pigs, it does not mitigate compromised neurodevelopment. Our findings using preterm pigs as a relevant preclinical model indicate nutrition support strategies can influence development of some gastrointestinal tract characteristics and the growth of other organs.

Neurog1, Neurod1, and Atoh1 are essential for spiral ganglia, cochlear nuclei, and cochlear hair cell development.

We review the molecular basis of three related basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) genes (Neurog1, Neurod1, and Atoh1) and upstream regulators Eya1/Six1, Sox2, Pax2, Gata3, Fgfr2b, Foxg1, and Lmx1a/b during the development of spiral ganglia, cochlear nuclei, and cochlear hair cells. Neuronal development requires early expression of Neurog1, followed by its downstream target Neurod1, which downregulates Atoh1 expression. In contrast, hair cells and cochlear nuclei critically depend on Atoh1 and require Neurod1 and Neurog1 expression for various aspects of development. Several experiments show a partial uncoupling of Atoh1/Neurod1 (spiral ganglia and cochlea) and Atoh1/Neurog1/Neurod1 (cochlear nuclei). In this review, we integrate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the development of auditory system and provide novel insights into the restoration of hearing loss, beyond the limited generation of lost sensory neurons and hair cells.

Development in the Mammalian Auditory System Depends on Transcription Factors.

We review the molecular basis of several transcription factors (Eya1, Sox2), including the three related genes coding basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH; see abbreviations) proteins (Neurog1, Neurod1, Atoh1) during the development of spiral ganglia, cochlear nuclei, and cochlear hair cells. Neuronal development requires Neurog1, followed by its downstream target Neurod1, to cross-regulate Atoh1 expression. In contrast, hair cells and cochlear nuclei critically depend on Atoh1 and require Neurod1 expression for interactions with Atoh1. Upregulation of Atoh1 following Neurod1 loss changes some vestibular neurons' fate into "hair cells", highlighting the significant interplay between the bHLH genes. Further work showed that replacing Atoh1 by Neurog1 rescues some hair cells from complete absence observed in Atoh1 null mutants, suggesting that bHLH genes can partially replace one another. The inhibition of Atoh1 by Neurod1 is essential for proper neuronal cell fate, and in the absence of Neurod1, Atoh1 is upregulated, resulting in the formation of "intraganglionic" HCs. Additional genes, such as Eya1/Six1, Sox2, Pax2, Gata3, Fgfr2b, Foxg1, and Lmx1a/b, play a role in the auditory system. Finally, both Lmx1a and Lmx1b genes are essential for the cochlear organ of Corti, spiral ganglion neuron, and cochlear nuclei formation. We integrate the mammalian auditory system development to provide comprehensive insights beyond the limited perception driven by singular investigations of cochlear neurons, cochlear hair cells, and cochlear nuclei. A detailed analysis of gene expression is needed to understand better how upstream regulators facilitate gene interactions and mammalian auditory system development.

Intrauterine growth restriction compromises cerebellar development by affecting radial migration of granule cells via the JamC/Pard3a molecular pathway.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) affects ~10% of human pregnancies, results in infants born small for gestational age (SGA), and is associated with motor and cognitive deficits. Human studies suggest that some deficits in SGA patients originate in the cerebellum, a major motor-coordination and cognitive center, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. To identify the cerebellar developmental program affected by IUGR, we analyzed the pig as a translational animal model in which some fetuses spontaneously develop IUGR due to early-onset chronic placental insufficiency. Similar to humans, SGA pigs revealed small cerebella, which contained fewer mature granule cells (GCs) in the internal granule cell layer (IGL). Surprisingly, newborn SGA pigs had increased proliferation of GC precursors in the external granule cell layer (EGL), which was associated with an increased density of Purkinje cells, known to non-autonomously promote the proliferation of GCs. However, the GCs of SGA pigs did not properly initiate exit from the EGL to IGL, which was associated with a decreased density of guiding Bergmann glial fibers, reduced expression of pro-migratory genes Pard3a, JamC and Sema6a, and increased apoptosis. While proliferation spontaneously normalized during postnatal development, accumulation of pre-migratory GCs and apoptosis in the EGL were long-lasting consequences of IUGR. Using organotypic cerebellar slice cultures, we showed that normalizing expression of Pard3a and JamC, which operate in the same molecular pathway in GCs, was sufficient to rescue both migratory and, at a later time point, apoptotic defects of IUGR. Thus, a decreased exit of GCs from the EGL, due to disrupted Pard3a/JamC radial migration initiation pathway, is a major mechanism of IUGR-related cerebellar pathology.

Lmx1a and Lmx1b are Redundantly Required for the Development of Multiple Components of the Mammalian Auditory System.

The inner ear, projections, and brainstem nuclei are essential components of the auditory and vestibular systems. It is believed that the evolution of complex systems depends on duplicated sets of genes. The contribution of duplicated genes to auditory or vestibular system development, however, is poorly understood. We describe that Lmx1a and Lmx1b, which originate from the invertebrate Lmx1b-like gene, redundantly regulate development of multiple essential components of the mammalian auditory/vestibular systems. Combined, but not individual, loss of Lmx1a/b eliminated the auditory inner ear organ of Corti (OC) and disrupted the spiral ganglion, which was preceded by a diminished expression of their critical regulator Pax2. Innervation of the remaining inner ear vestibular organs revealed unusual sizes or shapes and was more affected compared to Lmx1a/b single-gene mutants. Individual loss of Lmx1a/b genes did not disrupt brainstem auditory nuclei or inner ear central projections. Combined loss of Lmx1a/b, however, eliminated excitatory neurons in cochlear/vestibular nuclei, and also the expression of a master regulator Atoh1 in their progenitors in the lower rhombic lip (RL). Finally, in Lmx1a/b double mutants, vestibular afferents aberrantly projected to the roof plate. This phenotype was associated with altered expression of Wnt3a, a secreted ligand of the Wnt pathway that regulates pathfinding of inner ear projections. Thus, Lmx1a/b are redundantly required for the development of the mammalian inner ear, inner ear central projections, and cochlear/vestibular nuclei.

Early dorsomedial tissue interactions regulate gyrification of distal neocortex.

The extent of neocortical gyrification is an important determinant of a species' cognitive abilities, yet the mechanisms regulating cortical gyrification are poorly understood. We uncover long-range regulation of this process originating at the telencephalic dorsal midline, where levels of secreted Bmps are maintained by factors in both the neuroepithelium and the overlying mesenchyme. In the mouse, the combined loss of transcription factors Lmx1a and Lmx1b, selectively expressed in the midline neuroepithelium and the mesenchyme respectively, causes dorsal midline Bmp signaling to drop at early neural tube stages. This alters the spatial and temporal Wnt signaling profile of the dorsal midline cortical hem, which in turn causes gyrification of the distal neocortex. Our study uncovers early mesenchymal-neuroepithelial interactions that have long-range effects on neocortical gyrification and shows that lissencephaly in mice is actively maintained via redundant genetic regulation of dorsal midline development and signaling.

Roof Plate-Derived Radial Glial-like Cells Support Developmental Growth of Rapidly Adapting Mechanoreceptor Ascending Axons.

Spinal cord longitudinal axons comprise some of the longest axons in our body. However, mechanisms that drive this extra long-distance axonal growth are largely unclear. We found that ascending axons of rapidly adapting (RA) mechanoreceptors closely abut a previously undescribed population of roof plate-derived radial glial-like cells (RGLCs) in the spinal cord dorsal column, which form a network of processes enriched with growth-promoting factors. In dreher mutant mice that lack RGLCs, the lengths of ascending RA mechanoreceptor axon branches are specifically reduced, whereas their descending and collateral branches, and other dorsal column and sensory pathways, are largely unaffected. Because the number and intrinsic growth ability of RA mechanoreceptors are normal in dreher mice, our data suggest that RGLCs provide critical non-cell autonomous growth support for the ascending axons of RA mechanoreceptors. Together, our work identifies a developmental mechanism specifically required for long-range spinal cord longitudinal axons.

A Phosphatidylserine Source of Docosahexanoic Acid Improves Neurodevelopment and Survival of Preterm Pigs.

The amount, composition, and sources of nutrition support provided to preterm infants is critical for normal growth and development, and particularly for structural and functional neurodevelopment. Although omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), and particularly docosahexanoic acid (DHA), are considered of particular importance, results from clinical trials with preterm infants have been inconclusive because of ethical limitations and confounding variables. A translational large animal model is needed to understand the structural and functional responses to DHA. Neurodevelopment of preterm pigs was evaluated in response to feeding formulas to term-equivalent age supplemented with DHA attached to phosphatidylserine (PS-DHA) or sunflower oil as the placebo. Newborn term pigs were used as a control for normal in utero neurodevelopment. Supplementing formula with PS-DHA increased weight of the brain, and particularly the cerebellum, at term-equivalent age compared with placebo preterm pigs (P's < 0.10 and 0.05 respectively), with a higher degree of myelination in all regions of the brain examined (all p < 0.06). Brains of pigs provided PS-DHA were similar in weight to newborn term pigs. Event-related brain potentials and performance in a novel object recognition test indicated the PS-DHA supplement accelerated development of sensory pathways and recognition memory compared with placebo preterm pigs. The PS-DHA did not increase weight gain, but was associated with higher survival. The benefits of PS-DHA include improving neurodevelopment and possibly improvement of survival, and justify further studies to define dose-response relations, compare benefits associated with other sources of DHA, and understand the mechanisms underlying the benefits and influences on the development of other tissues and organ systems.

Preterm birth disrupts cerebellar development by affecting granule cell proliferation program and Bergmann glia.

Preterm birth is a leading cause of long-term motor and cognitive deficits. Clinical studies suggest that some of these deficits result from disruption of cerebellar development, but the mechanisms that mediate cerebellar abnormalities in preterm infants are largely unknown. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether preterm birth and precocious exposure to the ex-utero environment directly disrupt cerebellar development or indirectly by increasing the probability of cerebellar injury, including that resulting from clinical interventions and protocols associated with the care of preterm infants. In this study, we analyzed the cerebellum of preterm pigs delivered via c-section at 91% term and raised for 10 days, until term-equivalent age. The pigs did not receive any treatments known or suspected to affect cerebellar development and had no evidence of brain damage. Term pigs sacrificed at birth were used as controls. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that preterm birth did not affect either size or numbers of Purkinje cells or molecular layer interneurons at term-equivalent age. The number of granule cell precursors and Bergmann glial fibers, however, were reduced in preterm pigs. Preterm pigs had reduced proliferation but not differentiation of granule cells. qRT-PCR analysis of laser capture microdissected external granule cell layer showed that preterm pigs had a reduced expression of Ccnd1 (Cyclin D1), Ccnb1 (Cyclin B1), granule cell master regulatory transcription factor Atoh1, and signaling molecule Jag1. In vitro rescue experiments identified Jag1 as a central granule cell gene affected by preterm birth. Thus, preterm birth and precocious exposure to the ex-utero environment disrupt cerebellum by modulating expression of key cerebellar developmental genes, predominantly affecting development of granule precursors and Bergmann glia.

Wilhelm His' lasting insights into hindbrain and cranial ganglia development and evolution.

Wilhelm His (1831-1904) provided lasting insights into the development of the central and peripheral nervous system using innovative technologies such as the microtome, which he invented. 150 years after his resurrection of the classical germ layer theory of Wolff, von Baer and Remak, his description of the developmental origin of cranial and spinal ganglia from a distinct cell population, now known as the neural crest, has stood the test of time and more recently sparked tremendous advances regarding the molecular development of these important cells. In addition to his 1868 treatise on 'Zwischenstrang' (now neural crest), his work on the development of the human hindbrain published in 1890 provided novel ideas that more than 100 years later form the basis for penetrating molecular investigations of the regionalization of the hindbrain neural tube and of the migration and differentiation of its constituent neuron populations. In the first part of this review we briefly summarize the major discoveries of Wilhelm His and his impact on the field of embryology. In the second part we relate His' observations to current knowledge about the molecular underpinnings of hindbrain development and evolution. We conclude with the proposition, present already in rudimentary form in the writings of His, that a primordial spinal cord-like organization has been molecularly supplemented to generate hindbrain 'neomorphs' such as the cerebellum and the auditory and vestibular nuclei and their associated afferents and sensory organs.

Loss of Ptf1a Leads to a Widespread Cell-Fate Misspecification in the Brainstem, Affecting the Development of Somatosensory and Viscerosensory Nuclei.

The brainstem contains diverse neuronal populations that regulate a wide range of processes vital to the organism. Proper cell-fate specification decisions are critical to achieve neuronal diversity in the CNS, but the mechanisms regulating cell-fate specification in the developing brainstem are poorly understood. Previously, it has been shown that basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Ptf1a is required for the differentiation and survival of neurons of the inferior olivary and cochlear brainstem nuclei, which contribute to motor coordination and sound processing, respectively. In this study, we show that the loss of Ptf1a compromises the development of the nucleus of the solitary tract, which processes viscerosensory information, and the spinal and principal trigeminal nuclei, which integrate somatosensory information of the face. Combining genetic fate-mapping, birth-dating, and gene expression studies, we found that at least a subset of brainstem abnormalities in Ptf1a(-/-) mice are mediated by a dramatic cell-fate misspecification in rhombomeres 2-7, which results in the production of supernumerary viscerosensory and somatosensory neurons of the Lmx1b lineage at the expense of Pax2(+) GABAergic viscerosensory and somatosensory neurons, and inferior olivary neurons. Our data identify Ptf1a as a major regulator of cell-fate specification decisions in the developing brainstem, and as a previously unrecognized developmental regulator of both viscerosensory and somatosensory brainstem nuclei. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Cell-fate specification decisions are critical for normal CNS development. Although extensively studied in the cerebellum and spinal cord, the mechanisms mediating cell-fate decisions in the brainstem, which regulates a wide range of processes vital to the organism, remain largely unknown. Here we identified mouse Ptf1a as a novel regulator of cell-fate decisions during both early and late brainstem neurogenesis, which are critical for proper development of several major classes of brainstem cells, including neurons of the somatosensory and viscerosensory nuclei. Since loss-of-function PTF1A mutations were described in human patients, we suggest Ptf1a-dependent cell-fate misspecification as a novel mechanism of human brainstem pathology.

Active medulloblastoma enhancers reveal subgroup-specific cellular origins.

Medulloblastoma is a highly malignant paediatric brain tumour, often inflicting devastating consequences on the developing child. Genomic studies have revealed four distinct molecular subgroups with divergent biology and clinical behaviour. An understanding of the regulatory circuitry governing the transcriptional landscapes of medulloblastoma subgroups, and how this relates to their respective developmental origins, is lacking. Here, using H3K27ac and BRD4 chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) coupled with tissue-matched DNA methylation and transcriptome data, we describe the active cis-regulatory landscape across 28 primary medulloblastoma specimens. Analysis of differentially regulated enhancers and super-enhancers reinforced inter-subgroup heterogeneity and revealed novel, clinically relevant insights into medulloblastoma biology. Computational reconstruction of core regulatory circuitry identified a master set of transcription factors, validated by ChIP-seq, that is responsible for subgroup divergence, and implicates candidate cells of origin for Group 4. Our integrated analysis of enhancer elements in a large series of primary tumour samples reveals insights into cis-regulatory architecture, unrecognized dependencies, and cellular origins.

The Spontaneous Ataxic Mouse Mutant Tippy is Characterized by a Novel Purkinje Cell Morphogenesis and Degeneration Phenotype.

This study represents the first detailed analysis of the spontaneous neurological mouse mutant, tippy, uncovering its unique cerebellar phenotype. Homozygous tippy mutant mice are small, ataxic, and die around weaning. Although the cerebellum shows grossly normal foliation, tippy mutants display a complex cerebellar Purkinje cell phenotype consisting of abnormal dendritic branching with immature spine features and patchy, non-apoptotic cell death that is associated with widespread dystrophy and degeneration of the Purkinje cell axons throughout the white matter, the cerebellar nuclei, and the vestibular nuclei. Moderate anatomical abnormalities of climbing fiber innervation of tippy mutant Purkinje cells were not associated with changes in climbing fiber-EPSC amplitudes. However, decreased ESPC amplitudes were observed in response to parallel fiber stimulation and correlated well with anatomical evidence for patchy dark cell degeneration of Purkinje cell dendrites in the molecular layer. The data suggest that the Purkinje neurons are a primary target of the tippy mutation. Furthermore, we hypothesize that the Purkinje cell axonal pathology together with disruptions in the balance of climbing fiber and parallel fiber-Purkinje cell input in the cerebellar cortex underlie the ataxic phenotype in these mice. The constellation of Purkinje cell dendritic malformation and degeneration phenotypes in tippy mutants is unique and has not been reported in any other neurologic mutant. Fine mapping of the tippy mutation to a 2.1 MB region of distal chromosome 9, which does not encompass any gene previously implicated in cerebellar development or neuronal degeneration, confirms that the tippy mutation identifies novel biology and gene function.

Foxc1 dependent mesenchymal signalling drives embryonic cerebellar growth.

Loss of Foxc1 is associated with Dandy-Walker malformation, the most common human cerebellar malformation characterized by cerebellar hypoplasia and an enlarged posterior fossa and fourth ventricle. Although expressed in the mouse posterior fossa mesenchyme, loss of Foxc1 non-autonomously induces a rapid and devastating decrease in embryonic cerebellar ventricular zone radial glial proliferation and concurrent increase in cerebellar neuronal differentiation. Subsequent migration of cerebellar neurons is disrupted, associated with disordered radial glial morphology. In vitro, SDF1α, a direct Foxc1 target also expressed in the head mesenchyme, acts as a cerebellar radial glial mitogen and a chemoattractant for nascent Purkinje cells. Its receptor, Cxcr4, is expressed in cerebellar radial glial cells and conditional Cxcr4 ablation with Nes-Cre mimics the Foxc1-/- cerebellar phenotype. SDF1α also rescues the Foxc1-/- phenotype. Our data emphasizes that the head mesenchyme exerts a considerable influence on early embryonic brain development and its disruption contributes to neurodevelopmental disorders in humans.

Transformation of the cerebellum into more ventral brainstem fates causes cerebellar agenesis in the absence of Ptf1a function.

Model organism studies have demonstrated that cell fate specification decisions play an important role in normal brain development. Their role in human neurodevelopmental disorders, however, is poorly understood, with very few examples described. The cerebellum is an excellent system to study mechanisms of cell fate specification. Although signals from the isthmic organizer are known to specify cerebellar territory along the anterior-posterior axis of the neural tube, the mechanisms establishing the cerebellar anlage along the dorsal-ventral axis are unknown. Here we show that the gene encoding pancreatic transcription factor PTF1A, which is inactivated in human patients with cerebellar agenesis, is required to segregate the cerebellum from more ventral extracerebellar fates. Using genetic fate mapping in mice, we show that in the absence of Ptf1a, cells originating in the cerebellar ventricular zone initiate a more ventral brainstem expression program, including LIM homeobox transcription factor 1 beta and T-cell leukemia homeobox 3. Misspecified cells exit the cerebellar anlage and contribute to the adjacent brainstem or die, leading to cerebellar agenesis in Ptf1a mutants. Our data identify Ptf1a as the first gene involved in the segregation of the cerebellum from the more ventral brainstem. Further, we propose that cerebellar agenesis represents a new, dorsal-to-ventral, cell fate misspecification phenotype in humans.