Cannibalized Erythroblasts Accelerate Developmental Neurogenesis by Regulating Mitochondrial Dynamics

In this study, we disclose a mechanism triggered during neurulation that programs brain development by donation of sacrificial yolk sac erythroblasts to neuroepithelial cells. At embryonic day (E) 8.5, neuroepithelial cells transiently integrate with the endothelium of yolk sac blood vessels and cannibalize intravascular erythroblasts as transient heme-rich endosymbionts. This cannibalistic behavior instructs precocious neuronal differentiation of neuroepithelial cells in the proximity of blood vessels. By experiments in vitro, we show that access to erythroblastic heme accelerates the pace of neurogenesis by induction of a truncated neurogenic differentiation program from a poised state. Overall design: mRNA profiles of Control, Heme-treated, and NIM (post-neural induction) mouse neural progenitor cells, Biological replicates: 2/group