Macrophage Functions in Tissue Patterning and Disease:New Insights from the Fly

Macrophages are multifunctional innate immune cells that seed all tissues within the body and play disparate roles throughout development and in adult tissues, both in health and disease. Their complex developmental origins and many of their functions are being deciphered in mammalian tissues, but opportunities for live imaging and the genetic tractability of Drosophila are offering complementary insights into how these fascinating cells integrate a multitude of guidance cues to fulfill their many tasks and migrate to distant sites to either direct developmental patterning or raise an inflammatory response.Published versio

Palatoschisis in the dog: developmental mechanisms and etiology

Palatoschisis is a frequently occurring birth defect in man and domestic animals. It is caused by a failure of the elevation, apposition or fusion of the lateral palatine processes, resulting in the persistence of a slit-like opening between the oral and nasal cavities. Due to swallowing difficulties, this condition eventually leads to severe malnutrition and life-threatening aspiration pneumonia unless adequate treatment is provided. The formation of the palate is the result of a sequence of well-regulated steps. Palatoschisis can result from any interference with local cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, the aberrant production of mucopolysaccharides or interference with the active extension of the neck. It results from a single or combined action of genetic, mechanical and/or environmental teratogenic factors. The complex etiology of a cleft palate, its potential hereditary characteristics and possible association with other congenital defects should be carefully considered prior to any corrective therapy