CXCL12-CXCR4 Interplay Facilitates Palatal Osteogenesis in Mice.

Cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs), identified by expression of transcription factor Sox9, migrate to the first branchial arch and undergo proliferation and differentiation to form the cartilage and bone structures of the orofacial region, including the palatal bone. Sox9 promotes osteogenic differentiation and stimulates CXCL12-CXCR4 chemokine-receptor signaling, which elevates alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-activity in osteoblasts to initiate bone mineralization. Disintegration of the midline epithelial seam (MES) is crucial for palatal fusion.

Heme Oxygenase Protects against Placental Vascular Inflammation and Abortion by the Alarmin Heme in Mice.

Both infectious as non-infectious inflammation can cause placental dysfunction and pregnancy complications. During the first trimester of human gestation, when palatogenesis takes place, intrauterine hematoma and hemorrhage are common phenomena, causing the release of large amounts of heme, a well-known alarmin. We postulated that exposure of pregnant mice to heme during palatogenesis would initiate oxidative and inflammatory stress, leading to pathological pregnancy, increasing the incidence of palatal clefting and abortion.

Deregulated Adhesion Program in Palatal Keratinocytes of Orofacial Cleft Patients.

Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are the most frequent craniofacial birth defects. An orofacial cleft (OFC) occurs as a result of deviations in palatogenesis. Cell proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, migration and apoptosis are crucial in palatogenesis.

Fibrosis impairs the formation of new myofibers in the soft palate after injury.

Muscle repair is a crucial component of palatoplasty but little is known about muscle regeneration after cleft palate repair. We hypothesized that the formation of new myofibers is hampered by collagen accumulation after experimental injury of the soft palate of rats. One-millimeter excisional defects were made in the soft palates of 32 rats.

A rat model for muscle regeneration in the soft palate.

Background: Children with a cleft in the soft palate have difficulties with speech, swallowing, and sucking. Despite successful surgical repositioning of the muscles, optimal function is often not achieved. Scar formation and defective regeneration may hamper the functional recovery of the muscles after cleft palate repair.