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The pivotal role of CCN2 in mammalian palatogenesis

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
  • Published:
Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling Aims and scope

Abstract

Mammalian palatogenesis is a complex process involving a temporally and spatially regulated myriad of factors. Together these factors control the 3 vital processes of proliferation, elevation and fusion of the developing palate. In this study, we show for the first time the unequivocally vital role of CCN2 in development of the mammalian palate. We utilized CCN2 knockout (KO) mice and cranial neural crest derived mesenchymal cells from these CCN2 KO mice to investigate the 3 processes crucial to normal palatogenesis. Similar to previously published reports, the absence of CCN2 inhibits proliferation of cells in the palate specifically at the G1/S transition. Absence of CCN2 also inhibited palatal shelf elevation from the vertical to horizontal position. CCN2 KO mesenchymal cells demonstrated deficiencies in adhesion and spreading owing to an inability to activate Rac1 and RhoA. On the contrary, CCN2 KO mesenchymal cells exhibited increased rates of migration compared to WT cells. The addition of exogenous CCN2 to KO mesenchymal cells restored their ability to spread normally on fibronectin. Finally, utilizing an organ culture model we show that the palatal shelves of the CCN2 KO mice demonstrate an inability to fuse when apposed. Together, these data signify that CCN2 plays an indispensible role in normal development of the mammalian palate and warrants additional studies to determine the precise mechanism(s) responsible for these effects.

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Abbreviations

CCN2:

Connective tissue growth factor

WT:

Wild type

KO:

Knockout

CL[P]:

Cleft lip with or without palate involvement

CP:

Cleft palate only

E:

Embryonic day of development

P:

Days after birth

TGF-β:

Transforming growth factor beta

FGF:

Fibroblast growth factor

BMP:

Bone morphogenetic protein

MEPM:

Mouse embryonic palate mesenchymal

DMEM:

Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium

FBS:

Fetal bovine serum

PFA:

Paraformaldehyde

PTA:

Phosphotungstic acid

ECM:

Extracellular matrix

MEE:

Medial edge epithelium

FN:

Fibronectin

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Acknowledgments

Authors would like to thank Dr. Alex G. Lambi from the University of California, Los Angeles for his guidance and intellectual feedback. Authors would also like to thank Mamta Amin for her technical contributions and assistance.

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Correspondence to Steven N. Popoff.

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Tarr, J.T., Visser, T.G., Moon, J.E. et al. The pivotal role of CCN2 in mammalian palatogenesis. J. Cell Commun. Signal. 11, 25–37 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12079-016-0360-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12079-016-0360-8

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