BACKGROUND Mammalian brain is formed through neural tube closure (NTC), wherein both ridges of opposing neural folds are fused in the midline and remodeled in the roof plate of the neural tube and overlying non-neural ectodermal layer. Apoptosis is widely observed from the beginning of NTC at the neural ridges and is crucial for the proper progression of NTC, but its role after the closure remains less clear. RESULTS Here, we conducted live-imaging analysis of the mid-hindbrain neuropore (MHNP) closure and revealed unexpected collective behavior of cells surrounding the MHNP. The cells first gathered to the closing point and subsequently relocated as if they were released from the point. Inhibition of caspases or matrix metalloproteases with chemical inhibitors impaired the cell relocation. CONCLUSIONS These lines of evidence suggest that apoptosis-mediated degradation of extracellular matrix might facilitate the final process of neuropore closure.

中文翻译：

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后脑神经孔闭合后，胱天蛋白酶和基质金属蛋白酶促进非神经外胚层的集体行为。

背景技术哺乳动物的大脑是通过神经管闭合术（NTC）形成的，其中相对的神经褶皱的两个脊在中线融合，并在神经管的顶板和非神经外胚层上覆盖。从NTC的神经脊开始广泛观察到细胞凋亡，这对于NTC的正常进程至关重要，但在关闭后其作用仍不清楚。结果在这里，我们对中脑后神经孔（MHNP）闭合进行了实时成像分析，并揭示了MHNP周围细胞的意外集合行为。单元首先聚集到结束点，然后重新定位，就像它们从该点释放一样。用化学抑制剂抑制胱天蛋白酶或基质金属蛋白酶会损害细胞迁移。