Discoidin domain receptor 2 is an important modulator of BMP signaling during heterotopic bone formation.

Bone morphogenetic proteins are essential for bone regeneration/fracture healing but can also induce heterotopic ossification (HO). Understanding accessory factors modulating BMP signaling would provide both a means of enhancing BMP-dependent regeneration while preventing HO. This study focuses on the ability of the collagen receptor, discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2), to regulate BMP activity.

TGF-β signaling in the cranial neural crest affects late-stage mandibular bone resorption and length.

Malocclusions are common craniofacial malformations that cause quality of life and health problems if left untreated. Unfortunately, the current treatment for severe skeletal malocclusion is invasive surgery. Developing improved therapeutic options requires a deeper understanding of the cellular mechanisms responsible for determining jaw bone length.

TGF-β Signaling in Cranial Neural Crest Affects Late-Stage Mandibular Bone Resorption and Length.

Malocclusions are common craniofacial malformations which cause quality of life and health problems if left untreated. Unfortunately, the current treatment for severe skeletal malocclusion is invasive surgery. Developing improved therapeutic options requires a deeper understanding of the cellular mechanisms responsible for determining jaw bone length.

Canonical Wnt signaling is not required for expression in the basal medial edge epithelium during palatogenesis.

The secondary palate forms from two lateral primordia called the palatal shelves which form a contact in the midline, become adherent at the fusing interface (medial edge epithelia, MEE) and subsequently fuse. The gene encoding transforming growth factor-ß3 () is strongly and specifically expressed in MEE cells. Our previous study suggested that expression is controlled via upstream cis-regulatory elements in and around the neighboring gene.