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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
Epigenetic Mechanisms in Cleft Lip and Palate: A Comprehensive Review of Current Insights and Future Perspectives
Song Wang1, Cong Li2, Yongqian Wang3
1From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Cleft lip and palate (CL/P), the most common craniofacial birth defect, affects approximately 1 in 500 live births in China. CL/P severely compromises facial aesthetics, physiological functions (eg, feeding, speech), and imposes significant psychological and economic burdens on patients and families. Genetic and environmental factors are known to contribute, but recent studies have added another layer: epigenetic dysregulation. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding epigenetic modifications-including DNA methylation, noncoding RNAs, histone modifications, and X-chromosome inactivation-in CL/P development. We discuss how these mechanisms interact with genetic and environmental factors to disrupt craniofacial morphogenesis, providing novel insights into diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.
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