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Updated: Jul 30, 2026
08:21
In Vitro Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Trophoblastic Cells
Published on: March 16, 2017
Inhibins and activins in human fetal abnormalities.
G M Lambert-Messerlian1, H Pinar, E Laprade
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Prenatal and Special Testing, Women and Infants Hospital, 70 Elm Street, 2nd Floor, Providence, RI 02903, USA. gmesserl@wihri.org
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
|September 29, 2004
Summary
Activins play a role in human craniofacial development, with specific subunits and receptors found in fetal palate tissues. Further research is exploring their link to cleft palate.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Inhibin A is used in prenatal screening for Down syndrome (trisomy 21), with elevated levels in affected pregnancies.
- Maternal serum levels of inhibin A are thought to be placental in origin, limiting its use in studying fetal development.
- Studies in mice suggest activin, follistatin, and activin receptor type IIA are involved in palate and craniofacial development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of activin in human craniofacial development.
- To examine the expression of inhibin/activin subunits, follistatin, and activin receptors in the developing human fetal palate.
Main Methods:
- Collection of human fetal palate tissues (9-42 weeks gestation) and embryonic tissues (8 weeks) at autopsy.
- Immunocytochemistry on paraffin-embedded tissues to detect protein expression.
- RT-PCR on frozen tissues to examine mRNA expression of relevant genes.
Main Results:
- The betaA subunit, follistatin, and an activin receptor mRNA were detected in fetal palate tissues.
- Alpha and betaB subunit mRNAs were not found in palate tissues.
- Inhibin/activin betaA immunoreactivity was consistently observed in developing bone within the palate.
Conclusions:
- The expression of activin A subunit and its receptors in the human fetal palate supports a role in craniofacial development.
- Ongoing studies aim to determine if altered activin biosynthesis is associated with cleft palate.
- Future research on fetal tissues may reveal additional roles for the TGF-beta family in human development.
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