Versican is selectively expressed in embryonic tissues that act as barriers to neural crest cell migration and axon outgrowth

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans have been implicated in the regulation of cell migration and pattern formation in the developing peripheral nervous system. To identify whether the large aggregating proteoglycan versican might be mediating these processes, we prepared monospecific antibodies against a recombinant core protein fragment of chick versican. The purified antibodies recognize the predominant versican splice-variants V0 and V1. Using these antibodies, we revealed a close correlation between the spacio-temporal expression of versican and the formation of molecular boundaries flanking or transiently blocking the migration pathways of neural crest cells or motor and sensory axons. Versican is present in the caudal sclerotome, the early dorsolateral tissue underneath the ectoderm, the pelvic girdle precursor and to a certain extent in the perinotochordal mesenchyme. Versican is completely absent from tissues invaded by neural crest cells and extending axons. Upon completion of neural crest cell migration and axon outgrowth, versican expression is shifted to pre-chondrogenic areas. Since versican inhibits cellular interactions with fibronectin, laminin and collagen I in vitro, the selective expression of versican within barrier tissues may be linked to a functional role of versican in the guidance of migratory neural crest cells and outgrowing axons.