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FGF signaling in mandibular skeletogenesis

Mina Mina1, Bruce Havens, D A Velonis

  • 1Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA. mina@nso1.uchc.edu

Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research
|June 8, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) signaling is crucial for mandibular bone development. Inhibiting FGF receptor 3 (FGFR3) in ovo disrupts Meckel

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Skeletal biology
  • Molecular signaling

Background:

  • Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) and FGF Receptor (FGFR) signaling pathways regulate diverse developmental processes.
  • Mandibular skeletogenesis, the formation of the lower jaw, involves complex cellular and molecular interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of FGF/FGFR signaling in avian mandibular bone development (skeletogenesis) in ovo.
  • To elucidate the specific functions of FGF/FGFR signaling during the formation of the lower jaw.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a replication-competent avian retrovirus (RCAS) to overexpress a dominant-negative form of FGFR3 (dnFGFR3).
  • Inhibited FGF signaling within the developing chicken mandible between embryonic stages 17 and 26.
  • Analyzed the effects on Meckel's cartilage, mandibular process outgrowth, and bone formation.

Main Results:

  • Inhibition of FGF signaling led to stage- and region-dependent abnormalities in mandibular development.
  • Early inhibition caused Meckel's cartilage truncation, reduced mandibular outgrowth, and absence of several bones.
  • Later inhibition affected mandibular osteogenesis, with caudal bones truncated and rostral bones (dentary, splenial) often absent.

Conclusions:

  • FGF/FGFR signaling is essential for Meckel's cartilage elongation during mandibular development.
  • This signaling pathway plays a critical role in the development of osteogenic condensations.
  • FGF/FGFR signaling is vital for the appositional growth of mandibular bones.

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