Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Language
English
Publication Date
12-25-2023
Journal
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
DOI
10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149147
PMID
37948912
PMCID
PMC10952113
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
12-25-2024
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Abstract
Heterotopic ossification (HO) is abnormal bone growth in soft tissues that results from injury, trauma, and rare genetic disorders. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are critical osteogenic regulators which are involved in HO. However, it remains unclear how BMP signaling interacts with other extracellular stimuli to form HO. To address this question, using the Cre-loxP recombination system in mice, we conditionally expressed the constitutively activated BMP type I receptor ALK2 with a Q207D mutation (Ca-ALK2) in Cathepsin K-Cre labeled tendon progenitors (hereafter “Ca-Alk2:Ctsk-Cre”). Ca-Alk2:Ctsk-Cre mice were viable but they formed spontaneous HO in the Achilles tendon. Histological and molecular marker analysis revealed that HO is formed via endochondral ossification. Ectopic chondrogenesis coincided with enhanced GLI1 production, suggesting that elevated Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of HO. Interestingly, focal adhesion kinase, a critical mediator for the mechanotransduction pathway, was also activated in Ca-Alk2:Ctsk-Cre mice. Our findings suggest that enhanced BMP signaling may elevate Hh and mechanotransduction pathways, thereby causing HO in the regions of the Achilles tendon.
Keywords
Mice, Animals, Cathepsin K, Mechanotransduction, Cellular, Hedgehog Proteins, Ossification, Heterotopic, Tendons, BMP signaling, Hedgehog signaling, Heterotopic ossification, Mechanotransduction, Mouse
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
, "Enhanced Bmp Signaling in Cathepsin K-positive Tendon Progenitors Induces Heterotopic Ossification" (2023). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 159.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthdb_docs/159