Alessia Motta

Scopus Publications

Motor innervation directs the correct development of the mouse sympathetic nervous system
Alek G. Erickson, Alessia Motta, Maria Eleni Kastriti, Steven Edwards, Fanny Coulpier, et al.
Nature Communications, 2024
The sympathetic nervous system controls bodily functions including vascular tone, cardiac rhythm, and the “fight-or-flight response”. Sympathetic chain ganglia develop in parallel with preganglionic motor nerves extending from the neural tube, raising the question of whether axon targeting contributes to sympathetic chain formation. Using nerve-selective genetic ablations and lineage tracing in mouse, we reveal that motor nerve-associated Schwann cell precursors (SCPs) contribute sympathetic neurons and satellite glia after the initial seeding of sympathetic ganglia by neural crest. Motor nerve ablation causes mispositioning of SCP-derived sympathoblasts as well as sympathetic chain hypoplasia and fragmentation. Sympathetic neurons in motor-ablated embryos project precociously and abnormally towards dorsal root ganglia, eventually resulting in fusion of sympathetic and sensory ganglia. Cell interaction analysis identifies semaphorins as potential motor nerve-derived signaling molecules regulating sympathoblast positioning and outgrowth. Overall, central innervation functions both as infrastructure and regulatory niche to ensure the integrity of peripheral ganglia morphogenesis.
Structured wound angiogenesis instructs mesenchymal barrier compartments in the regenerating nerve
Ganesh Parameshwar Bhat, Aurora Maurizio, Alessia Motta, Paola Podini, Santo Diprima, et al.
Neuron, 2024
Motor neurons use push-pull signals to direct vascular remodeling critical for their connectivity
Luis F. Martins, Ilaria Brambilla, Alessia Motta, Stefano de Pretis, Ganesh Parameshwar Bhat, et al.
Neuron, 2022
Endothelial PlexinD1 signaling instructs spinal cord vascularization and motor neuron development
José Ricardo Vieira, Bhavin Shah, Sebastian Dupraz, Isidora Paredes, Patricia Himmels, et al.
Neuron, 2022
Sox2 Acts in Thalamic Neurons to Control the Development of Retina-Thalamus-Cortex Connectivity
Sara Mercurio, Linda Serra, Alessia Motta, Lorenzo Gesuita, Luisa Sanchez-Arrones, et al.
Iscience, 2019

Alessia Motta

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Scopus Publications