Lhx6 deficiency causes human embryonic palatal mesenchymal cell mitophagy dysfunction in cleft palate.

Background: Overconsumption of retinoic acid (RA) or its analogues/derivatives has been linked to severe craniomaxillofacial malformations, such as cleft palate and midface hypoplasia. It has been noted that RA disturbed the proliferation and migration of embryonic palatal mesenchymal (EPM) cells in these malformations, yet the exact mechanisms underlying these disruptions remained unclear.

Methods: A model of retinoic acid (RA)-induced cleft palate in fetal mice was successfully established.