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In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers from University College London (UCL) have unearthed a crucial link between physical cues in the womb and the normal development of neural crest cells, the embryonic stem cells responsible for forming facial features.
Published in Nature Cell Biology, the study unveils how an increase in hydrostatic pressure sensed by the embryo can disrupt the healthy development of facial features in mouse and frog embryos, as well as human embryoids grown in the lab from human stem cells. These findings suggest that variations in pressure levels may influence the risk of craniofacial malformations.
Lead author Professor Roberto Mayor from UCL’s Cell & Developmental Biology department remarked, “Our findings suggest that facial malformations could be influenced not only by genetics but by physical cues in the womb such as pressure.”
The study elucidates that exposure to heightened pressure impedes key cell signaling pathways in neural crest cells, significantly elevating the risk of craniofacial malformations. This revelation underscores the importance of understanding the impact of physical cues on embryo development.
“While an organism experiences a change in pressure, all cells — including the embryo inside the mother — are capable of sensing it,” explained Professor Mayor. “Our work demonstrates that embryos are sensitive to pressure, prompting further research into how changes in environmental pressure might affect human embryo development.”
Beyond its implications for craniofacial development, the study also sheds light on the influence of pressure on stem cell research. The researchers suggest that the development and differentiation of stem cells are influenced by pressure, offering new insights into manipulating stem cells for therapeutic purposes.
These findings build upon previous research by Professor Mayor and his team at UCL, which highlighted the role of mechanical cues in the womb in shaping facial features. Earlier studies revealed that cells in the developing embryo perceive the stiffness of surrounding cells, a crucial factor in their coordinated movement to form the face and skull.
As scientists delve deeper into the intricate mechanisms governing embryonic development, discoveries like these pave the way for enhanced understanding and potential interventions to address craniofacial malformations and advance stem cell-based therapies for various medical conditions.
