Cited by 89Wnt/β-catenin signaling in development and cancerBone Metabolism and DiseasesBone health and osteoporosis research

Msx2 Exerts Bone Anabolism via Canonical Wnt Signaling

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Cheng, Su-Li, Shao, Jian-Su, Cai, Jun, Sierra, Oscar L., Towler, Dwight A.·2008·Journal of Biological Chemistry

Abstract

Msx2 is a homeodomain transcription factor first identified in craniofacial bone and human femoral osteoblasts. We hypothesized that Msx2 might activate skeletal Wnt signaling. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of CMV-Msx2 transgene (Msx2Tg) expression on skeletal physiology and composition. Skeletal Msx2 expression was increased 2-3-fold by Msx2Tg, with expanded protein accumulation in marrow, secondary ossification centers, and periosteum. Microcomputed tomography established increased bone volume in Msx2Tg mice, with increased numbers of plate-like trabeculae. Histomorphometry revealed increased bone formation in Msx2Tg mice versus non-Tg siblings, arising from increased osteoblast numbers. While decreasing adipogenesis, Msx2Tg increased osteogenic differentiation via mechanisms inhibited by Dkk1, an antagonist of Wnt receptors LRP5 and LRP6. Bone from Msx2Tg mice elaborated higher levels of Wnt7 canonical agonists, with diminished Dkk1, changes that augment canonical signaling. Analysis of non-Tg and Msx2Tg siblings possessing the TOPGAL reporter confirmed this; Msx2Tg up-regulated skeletal beta-galactosidase expression (p </= 0.01), along with Wnt7a and Wnt7b, and reduced circulating Dkk1. To better understand molecular mechanisms, we studied C3H10T1/2 osteoprogenitor cells. As in bone, Msx2 increased Wnt7 genes and down-regulated Dkk1, while inducing the osteoblast gene alkaline phosphatase. Msx2-directed RNA interference increased Dkk1 expression and promoter activity, while reducing Wnt7a, Wnt7b, and alkaline phosphatase. Moreover, Msx2 inhibited Dkk1 promoter activity and reduced RNA polymerase association with Dkk1 chromatin. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of Wnt7a, Wnt7b, and LRP6 significantly reduced Msx2-induced alkaline phosphatase. Msx2 exerts bone anabolism in part by reducing Dkk1 expression and enhancing Wnt signaling, thus promoting osteogenic differentiation of skeletal progenitors.

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  • Msx2 expression responds to BMP2/4, and further activates canonical Wnt signaling in osteoblast progenitors.

    “Mechanistically, Msx2 expression responds to BMP2/4, and further activates canonical Wnt signaling in osteoblast progenitors49,50.”

    From Targeting Msx2 as a brake in the fusion fate of osteoclasts and an anabolic therapy in pre-clinical models of osteoporosis (2025) · cites this paper as [49]

    The paper reports that Msx2 increases Wnt7 expression, reduces Dkk1, and enhances canonical Wnt signaling in osteoprogenitor cells (opening summary; page unavailable). It supports the downstream Wnt claim, but the passages found do not establish that Msx2 expression responds to BMP2/4. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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  1. [4]4. Hoffmann, H. M., Catron, K. M., van Wijnen, A. J., McCabe, L. R., Lian, J. B., Stein, G. S., and Stein, J. L. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 91, 12887-12891
  2. [13]13. Liu, Y. H., Kundu, R., Wu, L., Luo, W., Ignelzi, M. A., Jr., Snead, M. L., and Maxson, R. E., Jr. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 92, 6137-6141

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Authors
Cheng, S.-L., Shao, J.-S., Cai, J., Sierra, O. L., & Towler, D. A.
Affiliations
Washington University in St. Louis (US)
Corresponding author
Towler, Dwight A.
Venue
Journal of Biological Chemistry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2008-07
Volume
283
Issue
29
Pages
20505-20522
ISSN
0021-9258 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1985012226
Cited by
89
References
92
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 10
FWCI
4.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Biological Chemistry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL081138, HL 81138)
  • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (AR-43731, R01AR043731)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Wnt/β-catenin signaling in development and cancer
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bone Metabolism and Diseases
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Bone health and osteoporosis research
Keywords
Msx2, bone formation, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, DKK1, Wnt7a, Wnt7b, LRP6, osteogenic differentiation, osteoblasts, osteoprogenitor cells, homeodomain transcription factor, bone volume, alkaline phosphatase
MeSH terms
Adipose Tissue, Animals, Bone and Bones, Bone Marrow, Cell Line, Gene Expression Regulation, Mice, Transgenic, Osteoblasts, Osteogenesis, Promoter Regions, Genetic, RNA Polymerase II, Transcription, Genetic, Signal Transduction, Bone Density, Homeodomain Proteins, Cell Proliferation, Wnt Proteins, Mice, Mesenchymal Stem Cells

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