Ectopic fusion of the epithelium is not found in these Shh mutants, suggesting that FGF10/Fgfr2b signaling

has a role in two independent pathways involved in palate development: (1) induction of Shh expression for mesenchyme cell proliferation, and (2) an alternative pathway that affects epithelial integrity. In the Fgf10−/− mutant, transcription of Jag2 and p63 in the epithelium is significantly reduced, which is consistent with the cleft palate phenotype associated with Jag2 and p63 deficient mutants [11] and [22]. However, p63 null mice do not exhibit epithelial fusion, suggesting that expression of Jag2 and p63 are independently regulated by FGF10 signaling, and expression of Irf6 in the oral epithelium is regulated not only by p63, but by other factors as well. Indeed, in p63 null mice, AT13387 although a cleft palate phenotype is present, Irf6 expression in the E13 fetal ectoderm is not completely disrupted [23]. Therefore, it is possible that periderm formation may not Stem Cell Compound Library clinical trial be completely inhibited

and periderm differentiation is maintained to some extent in the p63 null mouse. Ectopic expression of TGFβ3 has also been detected in the oral epithelium of Fgf10−/− mice, and in this model, cell death is induced resulting in mesenchymal continuity between the palate and mandible [19]. There has been no study reported to indicate that periderm formation or differentiation takes place in the Fgf10−/− mutant. It would be very intriguing to use the mutant to investigate the mechanism of the seam degradation as a consequence of loss of epithelial integrity. Bone morphogenetic proteins (Bmps) are a family of secreted proteins that contribute to a variety of developmental processes. For example, Bmp2 and Bmp4 have

been shown to be significant factors in the proliferation of mesenchymal cells during palatogenesis [24]. Correspondingly, Bmp2 is expressed in the anterior palatal mesenchyme and the posterior nasal side of the palatal mesenchyme [12], while Bmp4 expression has been detected in the anterior palatal mesenchyme along the MEE. Functions of these Bmp ligands have been well characterized in the Noggin−/− mouse model that exhibits cleft palate at Loperamide 100% incidence [12]. Noggin is a preferential inhibitor of Bmp2, Bmp4, and Bmp7 ligands, and is expressed throughout the oral epithelium during palate development. In the Noggin−/− mouse, elevation of the palatal shelf occurs in the anterior region, but not in the posterior region, due to the presence of palatal–mandible fusion, which has been recapitulated by ectopic activation of BMP signaling in the oral epithelium by expression of constitutively active form of Bmpr-Ia. Since Noggin is expressed in the oral epithelium from E11.5 at the latest when periderm formation takes place, Noggin appears to have a role in the early stages of craniofacial development.