Louis Bruno Ruest Ph.D.

Fritz, K. R., Y. Zhang and L. B. Ruest (2019). “Cdc42 activation by endothelin regulates neural crest cell migration in the cardiac outflow tract.” Dev Dyn 248(9): 795-812.

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BACKGROUND: Congenital cardiovascular malformations are the most common birth defects affecting children. Several of these defects occur in structures developing from neural crest cells. One of the key signaling pathways regulating cardiac neural crest cell (CNCC) development involves the endothelin-A receptor (Ednra). However, the exact function of Ednra signaling in CNCC is unknown. RESULTS: The fate mapping of CNCC in Ednra embryos indicated that the migration of these cells is aberrant in the cardiac outflow tract (OFT), but not in the pharyngeal arches. This premature arrest of CNCC migration occurs independently of CNCC proliferation and apoptosis changes and major gene expression changes. Analysis of the Rho family of small GTPases in the mutant embryos revealed that Cdc42 failed to localize normally in the CNCC migrating in the OFT. The inhibition of Cdc42 activity in cultured embryos recapitulated the migratory phenotype observed in Ednra mice. Further analyses revealed that Cdc42 is part of the signaling pathway activated by endothelin specifically in OFT CNCC to control their migration. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that the activation of Cdc42 by endothelin signaling is important for CNCC migration in the OFT but this pathway is not involved in mandibular or pharyngeal arch artery patterning.

Logan, S. M., L. B. Ruest, M. D. Benson and K. K. H. Svoboda (2019). “Extracellular Matrix in Secondary Palate Development.” Anat Rec (Hoboken) Sep 12. [Epub ahead of print].

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The secondary palate arises from outgrowths of epithelia-covered embryonic mesenchyme that grow from the maxillary prominence, remodel to meet over the tongue, and meet to fuse at the midline. These events require the coordination of cell proliferation, migration, and gene expression, all of which take place in the context of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Palatal cells generate their ECM, and then stiffen, degrade, or otherwise modify its properties to achieve the required cell movement and organization during palatogenesis. The ECM, in turn, acts on the cells through their matrix receptors to change their gene expression and thus their phenotype. The number of ECM-related gene mutations that cause cleft palate in mice and humans is a testament to the crucial role the matrix plays in palate development and a reminder that understanding that role is vital to our progress in treating palate deformities. This article will review the known ECM constituents at each stage of palatogenesis, the mechanisms of tissue reorganization and cell migration through the palatal ECM, the reciprocal relationship between the ECM and gene expression, and human syndromes with cleft palate that arise from mutation of ECM proteins and their regulators.