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Suzuki R, Imai H. Effect of valproic acid on the formation and migration of cranial neural crest cells at the early developmental stages in rat embryos. Congenit Anom (Kyoto) 2024; 64:47-60. [PMID: 38403785 DOI: 10.1111/cga.12553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Cranial neural crest cells (NCCs) are critical for craniofacial development. The administration of valproic acid (VPA) to pregnant females causes craniofacial malformations in offspring. However, the in vivo influence of VPA on mammalian cranial NCCs remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the developmental stage-specific effect of VPA on cranial NCCs through the administration of a single dose of VPA to pregnant rat females immediately prior to the formation of the cranial neural crest (NC). We performed whole-mount immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization to examine localization changes of gene transcripts associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of the cranial NC (i.e., cranial NCC formation) and cranial NCC migration. The results showed that Hoxa2 mRNA was abnormally detected and Sox9 mRNA expression was decreased in the midbrain-rhombomere (R) 1/2 NC, which forms cranial NCCs that migrate to the frontonasal mass (FNM) and branchial arch (BA) 1, through VPA administration, thus reducing the formation of SNAI2-positive NCCs. Hoxa2-positive NCCs were detected normally in BA2 and abnormally in FNM and BA1, which are normally Hox-free, implying VPA-induced abnormal cranial NCC migration. In vitro verification experiments using the whole embryo culture system revealed that midbrain-R4 NCC migration was abnormal. These results indicate that VPA reduces the formation/delamination of the midbrain-R1/2 NCCs in a developmental stage-specific manner and subsequently causes the abnormal migration of R4 NCCs, which suggests that the abnormal formation and migration of cranial NCCs contribute to the inhibition of axonal elongation in the trigeminal nerve and a reduction in head size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiko Suzuki
- Division of Dental Pharmacology, Ohu University School of Dentistry, Koriyama, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hajime Imai
- Division of Biology, Ohu University School of Dentistry, Koriyama, Fukushima, Japan
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2
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Yang R, Fu Y, Li C, Chen Y, He A, Jiang X, Ma J, Zhang T. Profiling of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Auricular Cartilage of Patients with Isolated Microtia. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2024; 28:50-58. [PMID: 38416666 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2023.0360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Microtia is the second most common maxillofacial birth defect worldwide. However, the involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in isolated microtia is not well understood. This study aimed at identifying lncRNAs that regulate the expression of genes associated with isolated microtia. Methods: We used our microarray data to analyze the expression pattern of lncRNA in the auricular cartilage tissues from 10 patients diagnosed with isolated microtia, alongside 15 control subjects. Five lncRNAs were chosen for validation using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: We identified 4651 differentially expressed lncRNAs in the auricular cartilage from patients with isolated microtia. By Gene Ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (GO/KEGG) analysis, we identified 27 differentially expressed genes enriched in pathways associated with microtia. In addition, we predicted 9 differentially expressed genes as potential cis-acting targets of 12 differentially expressed lncRNAs. Our findings by qRT-PCR demonstrate significantly elevated expression levels of ZFAS1 and DAB1-AS1, whereas ADIRF-AS1, HOTAIRM1, and EPB41L4A-AS1 exhibited significantly reduced expression levels in the auricular cartilage tissues of patients with isolated microtia. Conclusions: Our study sheds light on the potential involvement of lncRNAs in microtia and provides a basis for further investigation into their functional roles and underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Run Yang
- Department of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, ENT Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaoyao Fu
- Department of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, ENT Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenlong Li
- Department of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, ENT Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yin Chen
- Department of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, ENT Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Aijuan He
- Department of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, ENT Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Jiang
- Medical Laboratory of Nantong Zhongke, Department of Bioinformatics, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Ma
- Department of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, ENT Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianyu Zhang
- Department of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, ENT Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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3
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Wilderman A, D'haene E, Baetens M, Yankee TN, Winchester EW, Glidden N, Roets E, Van Dorpe J, Janssens S, Miller DE, Galey M, Brown KM, Stottmann RW, Vergult S, Weaver KN, Brugmann SA, Cox TC, Cotney J. A distant global control region is essential for normal expression of anterior HOXA genes during mouse and human craniofacial development. Nat Commun 2024; 15:136. [PMID: 38167838 PMCID: PMC10762089 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44506-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Craniofacial abnormalities account for approximately one third of birth defects. The regulatory programs that build the face require precisely controlled spatiotemporal gene expression, achieved through tissue-specific enhancers. Clusters of coactivated enhancers and their target genes, known as superenhancers, are important in determining cell identity but have been largely unexplored in development. In this study we identified superenhancer regions unique to human embryonic craniofacial tissue. To demonstrate the importance of such regions in craniofacial development and disease, we focused on an ~600 kb noncoding region located between NPVF and NFE2L3. We identified long range interactions with this region in both human and mouse embryonic craniofacial tissue with the anterior portion of the HOXA gene cluster. Mice lacking this superenhancer exhibit perinatal lethality, and present with highly penetrant skull defects and orofacial clefts phenocopying Hoxa2-/- mice. Moreover, we identified two cases of de novo copy number changes of the superenhancer in humans both with severe craniofacial abnormalities. This evidence suggests we have identified a critical noncoding locus control region that specifically regulates anterior HOXA genes and copy number changes are pathogenic in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva D'haene
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Machteld Baetens
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Emma Wentworth Winchester
- Graduate Program UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
- University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Nicole Glidden
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Ellen Roets
- Department of Obstetrics, Women's Clinic, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jo Van Dorpe
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sandra Janssens
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Danny E Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic Medicine, University of Washington, Washington, WA, USA
- Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute of Precision Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Miranda Galey
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic Medicine, University of Washington, Washington, WA, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Kari M Brown
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Rolf W Stottmann
- Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University School of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sarah Vergult
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - K Nicole Weaver
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Samantha A Brugmann
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Timothy C Cox
- Department of Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Justin Cotney
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA.
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
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Ray L, Medeiros D. Linking Vertebrate Gene Duplications to the New Head Hypothesis. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1213. [PMID: 37759612 PMCID: PMC10525774 DOI: 10.3390/biology12091213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Vertebrates have diverse morphologies and various anatomical novelties that set them apart from their closest invertebrate relatives. A conspicuous head housing a large brain, paired sense organs, and protected by a skeleton of cartilage and bone is unique to vertebrates and is a defining feature of this taxon. Gans and Northcutt (1980s) proposed that the evolution of this "new head" was dependent on two key developmental innovations: neural crest cells (NCCs) and ectodermal placodes. NCCs are migratory embryonic cells that form bone, cartilage, and neurons in the new head. Based on genome size, Ohno (1970s) proposed a separate hypothesis, stating that vertebrate genome content was quadrupled via two rounds (2R) of whole genome duplications (WGDs), and the surplus of genetic material potentiated vertebrate morphological diversification. While both hypotheses offer explanations for vertebrate success, it is unclear if, and how, the "new head" and "2R" hypotheses are linked. Here, we consider both hypotheses and evaluate the experimental evidence connecting the two. Overall, evidence suggests that while the origin of the NC GRN predates the vertebrate WGDs, these genomic events may have potentiated the evolution of distinct genetic subnetworks in different neural crest subpopulations. We describe the general composition of the NC GRN and posit that its increased developmental modularity facilitated the independent evolution of NC derivatives and the diversification of the vertebrate head skeleton. Lastly, we discuss experimental strategies needed to test whether gene duplications drove the diversification of neural crest derivatives and the "new head".
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey Ray
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Daniel Medeiros
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
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Selleri L, Rijli FM. Shaping faces: genetic and epigenetic control of craniofacial morphogenesis. Nat Rev Genet 2023; 24:610-626. [PMID: 37095271 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00594-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Major differences in facial morphology distinguish vertebrate species. Variation of facial traits underlies the uniqueness of human individuals, and abnormal craniofacial morphogenesis during development leads to birth defects that significantly affect quality of life. Studies during the past 40 years have advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that establish facial form during development, highlighting the crucial roles in this process of a multipotent cell type known as the cranial neural crest cell. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in multi-omics and single-cell technologies that enable genes, transcriptional regulatory networks and epigenetic landscapes to be closely linked to the establishment of facial patterning and its variation, with an emphasis on normal and abnormal craniofacial morphogenesis. Advancing our knowledge of these processes will support important developments in tissue engineering, as well as the repair and reconstruction of the abnormal craniofacial complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Licia Selleri
- Program in Craniofacial Biology, Department of Orofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Filippo M Rijli
- Laboratory of Developmental Neuroepigenetics, Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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6
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Kessler S, Minoux M, Joshi O, Ben Zouari Y, Ducret S, Ross F, Vilain N, Salvi A, Wolff J, Kohler H, Stadler MB, Rijli FM. A multiple super-enhancer region establishes inter-TAD interactions and controls Hoxa function in cranial neural crest. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3242. [PMID: 37277355 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38953-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhancer-promoter interactions preferentially occur within boundary-insulated topologically associating domains (TADs), limiting inter-TAD interactions. Enhancer clusters in linear proximity, termed super-enhancers (SEs), ensure high target gene expression levels. Little is known about SE topological regulatory impact during craniofacial development. Here, we identify 2232 genome-wide putative SEs in mouse cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs), 147 of which target genes establishing CNCC positional identity during face formation. In second pharyngeal arch (PA2) CNCCs, a multiple SE-containing region, partitioned into Hoxa Inter-TAD Regulatory Element 1 and 2 (HIRE1 and HIRE2), establishes long-range inter-TAD interactions selectively with Hoxa2, that is required for external and middle ear structures. HIRE2 deletion in a Hoxa2 haploinsufficient background results in microtia. HIRE1 deletion phenocopies the full homeotic Hoxa2 knockout phenotype and induces PA3 and PA4 CNCC abnormalities correlating with Hoxa2 and Hoxa3 transcriptional downregulation. Thus, SEs can overcome TAD insulation and regulate anterior Hoxa gene collinear expression in a CNCC subpopulation-specific manner during craniofacial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Kessler
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maryline Minoux
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
- INSERM UMR 1121, Université de Strasbourg, Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, 8, rue Sainte Elisabeth, 67 000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Onkar Joshi
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yousra Ben Zouari
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sebastien Ducret
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fiona Ross
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Vilain
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Adwait Salvi
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Wolff
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hubertus Kohler
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael B Stadler
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Filippo M Rijli
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Solidum JGN, Jeong Y, Heralde F, Park D. Differential regulation of skeletal stem/progenitor cells in distinct skeletal compartments. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1137063. [PMID: 36926193 PMCID: PMC10013690 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1137063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Skeletal stem/progenitor cells (SSPCs), characterized by self-renewal and multipotency, are essential for skeletal development, bone remodeling, and bone repair. These cells have traditionally been known to reside within the bone marrow, but recent studies have identified the presence of distinct SSPC populations in other skeletal compartments such as the growth plate, periosteum, and calvarial sutures. Differences in the cellular and matrix environment of distinct SSPC populations are believed to regulate their stemness and to direct their roles at different stages of development, homeostasis, and regeneration; differences in embryonic origin and adjacent tissue structures also affect SSPC regulation. As these SSPC niches are dynamic and highly specialized, changes under stress conditions and with aging can alter the cellular composition and molecular mechanisms in place, contributing to the dysregulation of local SSPCs and their activity in bone regeneration. Therefore, a better understanding of the different regulatory mechanisms for the distinct SSPCs in each skeletal compartment, and in different conditions, could provide answers to the existing knowledge gap and the impetus for realizing their potential in this biological and medical space. Here, we summarize the current scientific advances made in the study of the differential regulation pathways for distinct SSPCs in different bone compartments. We also discuss the physical, biological, and molecular factors that affect each skeletal compartment niche. Lastly, we look into how aging influences the regenerative capacity of SSPCs. Understanding these regulatory differences can open new avenues for the discovery of novel treatment approaches for calvarial or long bone repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jea Giezl Niedo Solidum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Youngjae Jeong
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Francisco Heralde
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Dongsu Park
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Houston, TX, United States
- Center for Skeletal Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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Gopinathan G, Zhang X, Luan X, Diekwisch TGH. Changes in Hox Gene Chromatin Organization during Odontogenic Lineage Specification. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:198. [PMID: 36672939 PMCID: PMC9859321 DOI: 10.3390/genes14010198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Craniofacial tissues comprise highly evolved organs characterized by a relative lack of expression in the HOX family transcription factors. In the present study, we sought to define the epigenetic events that limit HOX gene expression from undifferentiated neural crest cells to semi-differentiated odontogenic progenitors and to explore the effects of elevated levels of HOX. The ChIP-chip data demonstrated high levels of repressive H3K27me3 marks on the HOX gene promoters in ES and cranial neural crest cells when compared to the H3K4me3 marks, while the K4/K27 ratio was less repressive in the odontogenic progenitors, dental follicle, dental pulp, periodontal ligament fibroblasts, alveolar bone osteoblasts, and cementoblasts. The gene expression of multiple HOX genes, especially those from the HOXA and HOXB clusters, was significantly elevated and many times higher in alveolar bone cells than in the dental follicle cells. In addition, the HOX levels in the skeletal osteoblasts were many times higher in the trunk osteoblasts compared to the alveolar bone osteoblasts, and the repressive mark H3K27me3 promoter occupancy was substantially and significantly elevated in the alveolar bone osteoblasts when compared to the trunk osteoblasts. To explore the effect of elevated HOX levels in craniofacial neural crest cells, HOX expression was induced by transfecting cells with the Cdx4 transcription factor, resulting in a significant decrease in the mineralization markers, RUNX2, OSX, and OCN upon HOX elevation. Promoting HOX gene expression in developing teeth using the small molecule EZH2 inhibitor GSK126 resulted in an increased number of patterning events, supernumerary cusp formation, and increased Hoxa4 and Hoxb6 gene expression when compared to the controls. Together, these studies illustrate the profound effects of epigenetic regulatory events at all stages of the differentiation of craniofacial peripheral tissues from the neural crest, including lineage specification, tissue differentiation, and patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gokul Gopinathan
- Center for Craniofacial Research and Diagnosis, Texas A&M University, Dallas, TX 75246, USA
| | - Xinmin Zhang
- Bioinforx Inc., 510 Charmany Dr#275a, Madison, WI 53719, USA
| | - Xianghong Luan
- Center for Craniofacial Research and Diagnosis, Texas A&M University, Dallas, TX 75246, USA
| | - Thomas G. H. Diekwisch
- Center for Craniofacial Research and Diagnosis, Texas A&M University, Dallas, TX 75246, USA
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