Immunoreactivity of MSX1, NFκB p65, and CCL4 proteins was significantly decreased in cleft lip connective tissue and endothelium but not in surface epithelium; a decrease in MSX1 has been previously associated with disturbed growth and fusion of the developing upper lip primordia, while the decrease in NFκB p65 and CCL4 proteins could be explained by the characteristics of the patient group and lack of active inflammation within tissue. Here, NFKB1 is linked to cleft lip.