Loss of MicroRNAs in Neural Crest Leads to Cardiovascular Syndromes Resembling Human Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital heart defects (CHD) represent the most common human birth defects. Even though the genetic cause for these syndromes has been linked to respective candidate genes, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still largely unknown. Disturbance of neural crest cell (NCC) migration into the derivatives of the pharyngeal arches and pouches can account for many of the developmental defects.