Abstract 40: Absence of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF/CCN2) Alters Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Signaling in Palatogenesis

PURPOSE: Nonsyndromic cleft palate is a common craniofacial birth defect with an incidence of 1 in 700 live births. Recent studies have shown that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) has acted as a necessary downstream mediator of TGF-β-dependent mesenchymal stem cell proliferation in palatogenesis. In our laboratory, in CTGF/CCN2 knockout (KO) mice, we identified numerous craniofacial defects such as failure of secondary palate formation. We investigated this novel cleft (CTGF/CCN2 KO) model’s anatomy, histology, and cellular function compared to the wild-type (WT).