Anti-epileptic drug topiramate upregulates TGFβ1 and SOX9 expression in primary embryonic palatal mesenchyme cells: Implications for teratogenicity.

Topiramate is an anti-epileptic drug that is commonly prescribed not just to prevent seizures but also migraine headaches, with over 8 million prescriptions dispensed annually. Topiramate use during pregnancy has been linked to significantly increased risk of babies born with orofacial clefts (OFCs). However, the exact molecular mechanism of topiramate teratogenicity is unknown.

SPECC1L deficiency results in increased adherens junction stability and reduced cranial neural crest cell delamination.

Cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs) delaminate from embryonic neural folds and migrate to pharyngeal arches, which give rise to most mid-facial structures. CNCC dysfunction plays a prominent role in the etiology of orofacial clefts, a frequent birth malformation. Heterozygous mutations in SPECC1L have been identified in patients with atypical and syndromic clefts.

Exome sequencing reveals a thrombopoietin ligand mutation in a Micronesian family with autosomal recessive aplastic anemia.

We recently identified 2 siblings afflicted with idiopathic, autosomal recessive aplastic anemia. Whole-exome sequencing identified a novel homozygous missense mutation in thrombopoietin (THPO, c.112C>T) in both affected siblings.

In vivo prostaglandin E2 treatment alters the bone marrow microenvironment and preferentially expands short-term hematopoietic stem cells.

Microenvironmental signals can determine hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) fate choices both directly and through stimulation of niche cells. In the bone marrow, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) is known to affect both osteoblasts and osteoclasts, whereas in vitro it expands HSCs and affects differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors. We hypothesized that in vivo PGE(2) treatment could expand HSCs through effects on both HSCs and their microenvironment.