Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 15, 2025
09:16
Analyzing Craniofacial Morphogenesis in Zebrafish Using 4D Confocal Microscopy
Published on: January 30, 2014
11.2K
Programmed Cell Death Not as Sledgehammer but as Chisel: Apoptosis in Normal and Abnormal Craniofacial Patterning and
Claudia Compagnucci1,2,3, Kira Martinus1, John Griffin3,4
1Institute for Cell and Neurobiology, Center for Anatomy, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, CCO, Berlin, Germany.
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|October 25, 2021
Summary
Apoptosis, programmed cell death, is crucial for normal craniofacial development. This study explores its role in shaping facial structures and how disruptions lead to congenital malformations.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Craniofacial Development
- Apoptosis Research
Background:
- Craniofacial development involves complex interactions between embryonic epithelia and mesenchyme, particularly cranial neural crest (CNC).
- Perturbations in craniofacial development lead to congenital malformations, affecting one-third of human cases.
- Apoptotic cell death is a key, yet understudied, process in craniofacial morphogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of apoptotic cell death in normal and abnormal craniofacial development.
- To identify key spatiotemporal patterns of apoptosis during craniofacial development.
- To examine the influence of specific gene perturbations on apoptosis-driven craniofacial patterning.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of apoptotic cell death patterns at specific developmental stages and locations.
- Utilizing genetic models with perturbations in genes such as Satb2, Pbx1/2, Fgf8, and Foxg1.
- Investigating the functional consequences of altered apoptosis on craniofacial structures.
Main Results:
- Apoptosis occurs at specific sites: epithelial appositions, intra-epithelial morphogenesis, epithelial compartmentalization, and with CNC metameric organization.
- Genetic perturbations demonstrate apoptosis's role in jaw module elaboration, lambdoidal junction evolution, mandibular arch hinge integration, and upper jaw patterning.
- Altered apoptosis impacts craniofacial identity, patterning, and development.
Conclusions:
- Apoptosis is a critical regulator of craniofacial patterning, uniquely controlling cues from organizing centers.
- Understanding apoptosis in craniofacial development is vital for addressing congenital malformations.
- This research provides insights into the evolutionary and developmental significance of programmed cell death in the head and face.
More Related Videos
07:26Isolation of Whole Cell Protein Lysates from Mouse Facial Processes and Cultured Palatal Mesenchyme Cells for Phosphoprotein Analysis
Published on: April 1, 2022
2.1K
02:42Analysis of Craniomaxillofacial Malformations in Mice Using Three-dimensional Microcomputed Tomography
Published on: January 17, 2025
497
Related Concept Videos
01:30Apoptosis
12.2K
Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size...
12.2K
01:30Overview of Cell Death
8.0K
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
8.0K
01:17The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
6.8K
The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
6.8K
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
4.7K
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.7K
01:24Caspases
12.8K
Caspase, a family of cysteine proteases, serve as effectors in apoptosis. The ced3 gene in C.elegans was first identified to be involved in apoptosis. This gene encodes the ced-3 caspase that is similar to the interleukin-1-beta converting enzyme or ICE in mammals. In addition to apoptosis, caspases also function in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory caspases are essential in activating pro-inflammatory cytokines that recruit immune cells and block the replication of pathogens inside...
12.8K
01:22Sutures of the Skull
8.4K
The human skull is composed of several bones that come together to protect the brain and support the structures of the face. The junctions where these bones meet are called sutures.
Sutures are immobile joints between adjacent bones of the skull. The narrow gap between the bones is filled with dense, fibrous connective tissue that unites the bones. The long sutures located between the skull bones are not straight but instead follow irregular, tightly twisting paths. These twisting lines tightly...
Sutures are immobile joints between adjacent bones of the skull. The narrow gap between the bones is filled with dense, fibrous connective tissue that unites the bones. The long sutures located between the skull bones are not straight but instead follow irregular, tightly twisting paths. These twisting lines tightly...
8.4K