Reduction in Wnt9b and associated gene expression in the embryonic midface of CL/Fr mice with heritable cleft lip and palate

Abstract

Objectives:The CL/Fr mouse displays cleft lip and palate (CLP) at a rate of 35%. The clf1 mutation is associated with CLP in related "A" strain mice and affects the gene Wnt9b. The purpose of this study was to determine tissue specific expression of Wnt9bduring facial prominence morphogenesis in CL/Fr mice and provide new details concerning gene variants associated with CLP. Methods: Facial prominences from CLP(-) and CLP(+) CL/Fr and 3H1 wild-type (WT) mice at embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5)were collected for expression assays (DNA microarray analysis, qRT-PCR, immunostaining, and in situ hybridization). A modified Chi square test was used to analyze microarray data while a student t-test was used to statistically compare qRT-PCRvalues (p