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Isolation and Time-Lapse Imaging of Primary Mouse Embryonic Palatal Mesenchyme Cells to Analyze Collective Movement Attributes
Published on: February 13, 2021
Ephrin regulation of palate development
M Douglas Benson1, Maria J Serrano
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry Dallas, TX, USA.
Frontiers in Physiology
|October 12, 2012
Summary
Cleft palate research highlights the crucial role of ephrins in palate development. These signaling molecules are key to proper palate growth and fusion, offering new insights into birth defect mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
- Craniofacial Development
Background:
- Cleft palate is a common birth defect with significant health and cosmetic impacts.
- Previous research focused on growth factors like Transforming Growth Factor ß-3 (Tgfß3) for palate development.
- Emerging evidence implicates the ephrin/Eph signaling pathway in craniofacial development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on the function of ephrins in palate development.
- To highlight the role of ephrin-Eph signaling in palatal morphogenesis, growth, and fusion.
- To consolidate current understanding of ephrins' contribution to preventing birth defects.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on ephrin signaling in palate development.
- Analysis of genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying ephrin function.
- Synthesis of data from multiple research groups, including our own.
Main Results:
- Ephrin ligands and their Eph receptors are critical for palatal fusion.
- Ephrin signaling regulates cell movements and tissue fusion during palate development.
- Dysregulation of ephrin signaling can lead to craniofacial abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- The ephrin/Eph system is a vital regulator of palate development.
- Understanding ephrin function offers potential therapeutic targets for cleft palate.
- Further research into ephrin signaling pathways is crucial for advancing craniofacial research.
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Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
Determination
During embryogenesis, cells become progressively committed to different fates through a two-step process: specification followed by determination. Specification is demonstrated by removing a segment of an early embryo, “neutrally” culturing the tissue in vitro—for example, in a petri dish with simple medium—and then observing the derivatives. If the cultured region gives rise to cell types that it would normally generate in the embryo, this means that it is specified. In contrast, determination...

