Abstract
The vagus nerve, with its myriad constituent axon branches and innervation targets, has long been a model of anatomical complexity in the nervous system. The branched architecture of the vagus nerve is now appreciated to be highly organized around the topographic and/or molecular identities of the neurons that innervate each target tissue. However, we are only just beginning to understand the developmental mechanisms by which heterogeneous vagus neuron identity is specified, patterned, and used to guide the axons of particular neurons to particular targets. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the complex topographic and molecular organization of the vagus nerve, the developmental basis of neuron specification and patterned axon guidance that supports this organization, and the regenerative mechanisms that promote, or inhibit, the restoration of vagus nerve organization after nerve damage. Finally, we highlight key unanswered questions in these areas and discuss potential strategies to address these questions.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 219-227 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology |
Volume | 156 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 15 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2023 Elsevier Ltd
Keywords
- Axon guidance
- Identity
- Nerve development
- Nerve regeneration
- Parasympathetic
- Specification
- Vagus
PubMed: MeSH publication types
- Journal Article
- Review