Fig. 6. Netrin 1-induced chemorepulsion of oligodendrocyte precursors is dependent on DCC-like signaling. (A) Netrin 1-positive cells mimic the repulsive activity exerted by ventral explant cells. The majority of intermediate explant-derived oligodendrocyte precursors migrated away from netrin 1-positive cells. The biased migration of oligodendrocyte precursors from intermediate explants was blocked by anti-DCC antibodies in co-cultures with (B) netrin 1-positive cells or (C) ventral explants, demonstrating that a DCC-like receptor mediates netrin 1 signaling. Cell aggregates and ventral explants are outlined. (D) Schematic representation of the quantitative analyses of oligodendrocyte precursors from intermediate explants. The counting criteria are described in the Materials and Methods. (E) Quantitative analysis of cell distribution in migration assays. In isolation, equal proportions of cells migrate in all directions. In co-culture with ventral explants or netrin-secreting cells, a higher proportion of cells are distal to the chemorepulsive cue and this is negated by anti-DCC but not control antibodies. (F) Scatter plot demonstrates the ratio of oligodendrocyte precursors migrating out from the distal to proximal side. Each dot represents one co-culture pair. A ratio larger than 1 represents repulsion, whereas a ratio smaller than 1 is attractive. VSC, ventral spinal cord; ISC, intermediate spinal cord; N293, netrin-producing 293 cells; C293, control 293 cells. *P=0.003, **P<0.001. Scale bar: 100 µm.

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