• A Multicellular Rosette-Mediated Collective Dendrite Extension

Abnormal neurite outgrowth during development has been implicated in many neurological disorders, including autism. Investigators recently discovered a novel and non-classical mechanism of collective neurite outgrowth and nerve formation. A group of sensory neurons called amphid neurons were observed to form a multicellular rosette along with sheath and socket glial cells in C. elegans. The vertex of the rosette guided neurite outgrowth by attaching to the migrating epidermis during development. This is distinct from the traditional pioneer-follower model that neurite outgrowth is guided by a pioneer neuron. This study reveals a novel role of mechanical cues from epidermal cells in neurite outgrowth.