Newly Discovered Bone Stem Cell Causes Premature Skull Fusion in Infants, Study Finds

Newly Discovered Bone Stem Cell Causes Premature Skull Fusion:

A preclinical study led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine has found that craniosynostosis, the premature fusion of the top of the skull in infants, is caused by an abnormal excess of a previously unknown type of bone-forming stem cell.

Craniosynostosis occurs in about one in 2,500 babies and can lead to abnormal brain development if not corrected surgically.

The researchers discovered that the mutation responsible for craniosynostosis induces the abnormal proliferation of a type of bone-making stem cell called the DDR2+ stem cell.

This finding opens up possibilities for treating craniosynostosis by targeting and blocking the abnormal activity of these stem cells.

Newly Discovered Bone Stem Cell Causes Premature Skull Fusion

A preclinical study conducted by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine has revealed that craniosynostosis, a condition characterized by the premature fusion of the skull in infants, is caused by an excess of a previously unknown type of bone-forming stem cell. Craniosynostosis, which occurs in approximately one in 2,500 babies, can lead to abnormal brain development if left untreated. The study identified the DDR2+ stem cell as the key player in driving premature skull fusion and suggests that targeting this abnormal stem cell activity could be a potential treatment approach.

Exploring the Mechanism of Craniosynostosis

In a preclinical study published in the journal Nature, researchers investigated the mechanism underlying craniosynostosis by examining mice with a common mutation found in human cases. The researchers discovered that the mutation induces the abnormal proliferation of a previously unknown type of bone-making stem cell called the DDR2+ stem cell. This abnormal stem cell activity leads to premature skull fusion. The findings suggest that in addition to surgical interventions, blocking the activity of these abnormal stem cells could be a potential therapeutic strategy for treating craniosynostosis.

Potential for Non-Surgical Treatment

The discovery of the DDR2+ stem cell’s role in craniosynostosis opens up new possibilities for non-surgical treatment approaches. By targeting and blocking the abnormal activity of these stem cells, it may be possible to prevent or reverse premature skull fusion in infants with craniosynostosis. This research provides a promising avenue for future studies and the development of novel therapies for this condition, potentially reducing the need for multiple surgeries in complex cases.

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