Molecular mechanisms regulating participation of neural crest on developmental processes and homeostasis in selected localizations
Abstract
In this PhD thesis, which focuses on neural crest properties, the role of c-Myb transcription factor during neural crest induction and epithelial-mesenchymal transition is described. With respect to the role of Hox genes in neural crest axial identity determination, we studied their role in developing limbs and mechanism regulating their expression.
Furthermore we studied participation of neural crest cells in scapula development in mammals. Finally we described adult human neural crest stem cells that participate on the homeostasis in the hair follicle.
These cells were characterized based on their gene expression. Their transcriptom was compared with transcriptoms of neural crest stem cells obtained from early embryos and from adult murine whisker follicles.
With respect to their unique properties and easy accessibility of donor tissue, neural crest stem cells from adult hair follicles can be considered as good candidates for stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine.