Dermal Progenitor Cells (CrDs)

Crania dermal progenitor cells described in this section correspond to the cells specified to be dermal mesenchyme in the sub-ectodermal space of the supra-orbital region. Progenitor cells of both dermis and cranial bones from this zone migrate anteriorly and rostrocaudally to form cranial dermis and underlying bones. Cranial dermal progenitor cells originate from cranial neural crest cells and appear to start their specification on E10.5 in mouse embryo. Canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a hallmark of dermal specification. EN1 expression is required for responsiveness to Wnt signaling from neural tube and for acquisition of dermal fate. Wnt signaling is responsible for inhibition of chondral differentiation in these cells.