Wang Tairan, Zhu Kunao, Tang Yi, Xia Yuxing, Zhang Qian, Cong Rong, Pan Chaoqun, Kang Feiwu
Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration & Tongji Research Institute of Stomatology & Shanghai Tongji Stomatological Hospital and Dental School, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
Int J Biol Sci. 2025 Apr 28;21(7):3229-3246. doi: 10.7150/ijbs.112605. eCollection 2025.
Skeletal deformities are characteristic manifestations of Silver-Russell Syndrome with mutations in insulin-like growth factor 2 () gene serving as the most prevalent genetic abnormality. However, the mechanism by which influence bone development and homeostasis remains unclear. Besides, the expression pattern of and the local cells-derived at cellular level within bone microenvironment also lacked research. ScRNA-seq analysis was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and analyzed to discover the expression pattern of Then, mice models of specific deletion of in three different cell types by crossing with , and mice respectively were established. The skeletal systems of these mice were analyzed, along with the osteogenic capacity of their bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Lastly, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was carried out to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, and administration of an agonist targeting the key molecule was also undertaken. was enriched in skeletal stem/progenitor cells (SSPCs) rather than osteoblasts and we have observed deformities in the femur and other skeletons in but not mice and the deformities were induced by a reduction in osteogenesis with minimal changes in osteoclastogenesis. It is further revealed that deletion impaired the osteogenesis via STAT3 and pharmacological activation of STAT3 could reverse the skeletal deformities. In summary, these finding reveals that IGF2 derived from SSPCs, rather than osteoblasts, supports the development and homeostasis of skeletal system via STAT3 signaling and targeting STAT3 might be a promising therapeutic strategy for SRS-related skeletal deformities.
骨骼畸形是Silver-Russell综合征的特征性表现,胰岛素样生长因子2(IGF2)基因突变是最常见的遗传异常。然而,IGF2影响骨骼发育和稳态的机制仍不清楚。此外,在骨微环境中,IGF2在细胞水平的表达模式以及局部细胞来源的IGF2也缺乏研究。从基因表达综合数据库(GEO)获取单细胞RNA测序(scRNA-seq)分析数据并进行分析,以发现IGF2的表达模式。然后,通过分别将IGF2flox/flox小鼠与Dermo1-Cre、Prx1-Cre和Col2-Cre小鼠杂交,建立在三种不同细胞类型中特异性缺失IGF2的小鼠模型。对这些小鼠的骨骼系统进行分析,并评估其骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSC)的成骨能力。最后,进行RNA测序(RNA-seq)以阐明潜在机制,并对靶向关键分子的激动剂进行给药。IGF2在骨骼干/祖细胞(SSPC)中富集,而不是在成骨细胞中,并且我们在IGF2flox/flox;Dermo1-Cre小鼠而非IGF2flox/flox小鼠的股骨和其他骨骼中观察到畸形,这些畸形是由成骨减少引起的,破骨细胞生成变化最小。进一步研究表明,IGF2缺失通过信号转导和转录激活因子3(STAT3)损害成骨,STAT3的药理激活可以逆转骨骼畸形。总之,这些发现表明,源自SSPC而非成骨细胞的IGF2通过STAT3信号通路支持骨骼系统的发育和稳态,靶向STAT3可能是治疗与Silver-Russell综合征相关骨骼畸形的一种有前景的治疗策略。