Interneuron origins in the embryonic porcine medial ganglionic eminence

Interneurons contribute to the complexity of neural circuits and maintenance of normal brain function. Rodent interneurons originate in embryonic ganglionic eminences, but developmental origins in other species are less understood. Here, we show that transcription factor expression patterns in porcine embryonic subpallium are similar to rodents, delineating a distinct medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) progenitor domain. On the basis of Nkx2.1, Lhx6 and Dlx2 expression, in vitro differentiation into neurons expressing GABA and robust migratory capacity in explant assays, we propose that cortical and hippocampal interneurons originate from a porcine MGE region. Following xenotransplantation into adult male and female rat hippocampus, we further demonstrate that porcine MGE progenitors, like those from rodents, migrate and differentiate into morphologically distinct interneurons expressing GABA. Our findings reveal that basic rules for interneuron development are conserved across species, and that porcine embryonic MGE progenitors could serve as a valuable source for interneuron-based xenotransplantation therapies. Significance StatementHere we demonstrate that porcine MGE, like rodents, exhibit a distinct transcriptional and pallial interneuron-specific antibody profile, in vitro migratory capacity and are amenable to xenotransplantation. This is the first comprehensive examination of embryonic pallial interneuron origins in the pig, and because a rich neurodevelopmental literature on embryonic mouse MGE exists (with some additional characterizations in other species like monkey and human) our work allows direct neurodevelopmental comparisons with this literature.