Figure 8. Interstitial cell differentiation pathways.

Schematic representation of the multiple differentiation pathways of the interstitial stem cells in homeostatic condition (A) and the effects on stem cell proliferation/differentiation induced by genetic or biochemical Hymyc1 downregulation (B). myc-siRNA treatment or myc biochemical inactivation induce a moderate increase in the 1 s and 2 s stem cell self-renewal and proliferation activity (red arrows). This in turn generates a higher number of both differentiating intermediates (nematoblasts) and terminal differentiated products such as nematocytes and gland cells (blue arrows). Dashed arrows indicate the absence of morphological distinct cellular intermediates. Hymyc1 downregulation does not affect the nerve differentiation pathway, consistent with the absence of Hymyc1 expression in this cell type.