Forkhead Box B1 regulates the differentiation timing and neurogenic potential of human neural crest cells [ChIP-Seq]

Human neural crest cell development progresses via a pre-neural border (pNB) cell state that precedes the induction of the neurectoderm and the neural border. Here, we identify a set of pNB gene candidates, including forkhead box B1 (FOXB1), and their associated enhancers, that are rapidly activated by ß-catenin-mediated signaling during human embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation towards neural crest cells. FOXB1 simultaneously maintains neuroectoderm competency and controls the timing of differentiating ES cells to acquire neural crest fate by directly targeting key neural crest and neural progenitor loci in a context-dependent manner. Notably, the transient expression of FOXB1 in pre-neural crest cells also establishes autonomic neurogenic potential in mature neural crest cells, likely via its regulation of the expression of ASCL1, a master regulator of autonomic neurons. Altogether, our data implicates pNB cell state as the missing link bridging the exit of pluripotency to the acquisition of neural crest fate and its diverse ecto-mesenchymal differentiation potentials. Overall design: Examination of genomic binding pattern of FOXB1 in human pre-neural crest cells