Dynamic expression of Dab2 in the mouse embryonic central nervous system

Background: Dab2, one of two mammalian orthologs of Drosophila Disabled, has been shown to be involved in cell positioning and formation of visceral endoderm during mouse embryogenesis, but its role in neuronal development is not yet fully understood. In this report, we have examined the localization of the Dab2 protein in the mouse embryonic central nervous system (CNS) at different developmental stages. Results: Dab2 protein was transiently expressed in rhombomeres 5 and 6 of the developing hindbrain between E8.5 and E11.5, and in the floor plate of the neural tube from E9.5 to E12.5, following which it was no longer detectable within these regions. Dab2 protein was also identified within circumventricular organs including the choroid plexus, subcommissural organ and pineal gland during their early development. While Dab2 was still strongly expressed in the adult choroid plexus, immunoreactivity within the subcommissural organ and pineal gland was lost after birth. In addition, Dab2 was transiently expressed within a subpopulation of Iba1-positive mononuclear phagocytes (including presumed microglial progenitors) within the neural tube from E10.0 and was lost by E14.5. Dab2 was separately localized to Iba1 positive cells from E9.5 and subsequently to F4/80 positive cells (mature macrophage/myeloid-derived dendritic cells) positioned outside the neural tube from E12.5 onwards, implicating Dab2 expression in early cells of the mononuclear phagocyte lineage. Dab2 did not co-localize with the pan-neuronal marker PGP9.5 at any developmental stage, suggesting that Dab2 positive cells in the developing CNS are unlikely to be differentiating neurons. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate the dynamic spatiotemporal expression of Dab2 protein within the CNS during development.