Morphological and molecular evolution of the ultimobranchial gland of nonmammalian vertebrates, with special reference to the chicken C cells. Issue 10 (24th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kameda, Yoko
• Is Part Of: Developmental dynamics. Volume 246:Issue 10(2017)
• Page Start: 719
• Page End: 739
• Publication Date: 2017-08-24
• Subjects: ultimobranchial gland -- C cells -- phylogeny -- last pharyngeal pouch -- chick -- nodose ganglion -- enteric nervous system -- neuronal neural crest cells; Morphogenesis -- Periodicals; Anatomy -- Periodicals; Anatomie -- Périodiques; Biologie du développement -- Périodiques; 571.833
• DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24534
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-8388

Abstract

Abstract : This review summarizes the current understanding of the nonmammalian ultimobranchial gland from morphological and molecular perspectives. Ultimobranchial anlage of all animal species develops from the last pharyngeal pouch. The genes involved in the development of pharyngeal pouches are well conserved across vertebrates. The ultimobranchial anlage of nonmammalian vertebrates and monotremes does not merge with the thyroid, remaining as an independent organ throughout adulthood. Although C cells of all animal species secrete calcitonin, the shape, cellular components and location of the ultimobranchial gland vary from species to species. Avian ultimobranchial gland is unique in several phylogenic aspects; the organ is located between the vagus and recurrent laryngeal nerves at the upper thorax and is densely innervated by branches emanating from them. In chick embryos, TuJ1‐, HNK‐1‐, and PGP 9.5‐immunoreactive cells that originate from the distal vagal (nodose) ganglion, colonize the ultimobranchial anlage and differentiate into C cells; neuronal cells give rise to C cells. Like C cells of mammals, the cells of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and also a subset of C cells of birds, appear to be derived from the endodermal epithelium forming ultimobranchial anlage. Thus, the avian ultimobranchial C cells may have dual origins, neural progenitors and endodermal epithelium. Developmental Dynamics 246:719–739, 2017 . © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Key Findings: Ultimobranchial anlage of all vertebrates forms from the last pharyngeal pouch. The genes involved in the development of pharyngeal pouches are well conserved across vertebrates. In nonmammalian vertebrates and monotremes, ultimobranchial gland does not merge with the thyroid, remaining as the independent organ for life. The shape, cellular components and location of ultimobranchial gland vary from species to species. The ultimobranchial C cells of fishes, amphibians and reptiles, as well as thyroid C cells of mouse embryos, arise from the pharyngeal endoderm. Avian ultimobranchial gland is unique in phylogenic aspects; the organ is located between the vagus and recurrent laryngeal nerves and receives numerous nerve fibers from them. In chick embryos, neuronal progenitors originating from the nodose and enteric ganglia colonize the ultimobranchial anlage and differentiate into C cells. In addition, a subset of C cells may develop from the pharyngeal endoderm; the cells appear to have dual origins, neuronal progenitors and endodermal epithelium.