Masseter muscle gene expression in human malocclusion subjects with and without posterior facial asymmetry

Non-syndromic facial asymmetry is commonly found in dentofacial deformity populations with skeletal malocclusions. Asymmetry of this type may result from imbalanced growth and function of both the jaw and associated muscles. Among the multiple genes that interact to affect the craniofacial musculoskeletal complex during pre and postnatal growth and development, NODAL signaling pathwy (NSP) genes are active in adult skeletal muscle and may be key factors in development, growth and maintenance of facial asymmetry. It is of interest to determine whether expression of NODAL pathway genes might differ in masseter muscles between individuals with malocclusion that have facial asymmetry and normal symmetry.

11

Nicot R, Hottenstein M, Raoul G, Ferri J, Horton M, Tobias JW, Barton E, Gelé P, Sciote JJ