Gene That Preserves Bone Stem Cell Supply Throughout Life Identified
Researchers found that the HOXA10 gene preserves bone stem cell supply throughout life, and say the discovery advances understanding of stem cell biology and could indicate potential therapeutic approaches to improve bone healing and regeneration in aging and disease. The post Gene That Preserves Bone Stem Cell Supply Throughout Life Identified appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and…
Researchers from NYU Langone Health have discovered that the HOXA10 gene is crucial for preserving a continuous supply of bone stem cells throughout a person's life. The team genetically engineered mice and found that deleting HOXA10 led to a rapid loss of bone stem cells, causing bone healing to deteriorate. This gene acts as a brake on premature maturation of stem cells, preventing them from becoming bone-building cells too early.
The study suggests that HOX genes, which are critical for maintaining the identity and function of adult skeletal stem cells, could be potential therapeutic targets for enhancing bone regeneration. Experiments in mice showed that without HOXA10, the proportion of stem cell progenitors in the callus was significantly lower, and collagen proteins that form the early framework for bone repair became disorganized.
Human bone biopsies also showed similar effects when three related HOX genes were silenced, indicating that these genes are essential for preserving the core properties of human skeletal stem cells. The researchers used a fluorescent green marker to track the tagged stem cells in the mice, allowing them to accurately monitor the cells' status at all stages of life.
This study establishes HOX genes as potential therapeutic targets for improving bone healing and addressing age-related bone loss.
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