Retinoic Acid Enhances Osteogenesis in Cranial Suture–Derived Mesenchymal Cells: Potential Mechanisms of Retinoid-Induced Craniosynostosis

Abstract

Retinoic acid represses proliferation and enhances osteogenic differentiation of suture-derived mesenchymal cells. These in vitro data suggest that retinoid exposure may lead to premature cranial suture fusion by means of enhanced osteogenesis and hedgehog and bone morphogenetic protein signaling.