TY - JOUR
T1 - The Mohawk homeobox transcription factor regulates the differentiation of tendons and volar plates
AU - Onizuka, Naoko
AU - Ito, Yoshiaki
AU - Inagawa, Masayo
AU - Nakahara, Hiroyuki
AU - Takada, Shuji
AU - Lotz, Martin
AU - Toyama, Yoshiaki
AU - Asahara, Hiroshi
N1 - Funding Information:
Acknowldgments This work was supported, in part, by the Grant of National Center for Child Health and Development, Grant Number 25-1, JSPS KAKENHI, JST (CREST) and NIH AR050631 for H.A. and NIH AG-007996 for ML.
PY - 2014/1
Y1 - 2014/1
N2 - Background: Mohawk (Mkx) is a homeodomain-containing transcription factor that is expressed in various mesoderm-derived tissues, particularly in developing tendons. In this study, we investigate the exact expression pattern and functions of Mkx in forelimbs. Methods: We analyzed the forelimbs of Mkx knockout mice [from embryonic day (E) 18.5 to postnatal day (P) 28 weeks] by using knocked-in Venus signals, Masson trichrome staining, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results: We detected Venus signals in forelimb tendons, pulleys, and volar plates (VPs) in P21 mice. In-depth histological analysis showed that compared to the wild-type mice, the Mkx knockout mice showed significant hypoplasia in the flexor digitorum profundus tendons from E18.5. The VPs and pulleys appeared normal until P0; however, by P14, they became increasingly thicker in Mkx-null mice compared to wild-type mice. The fiber alignment was particularly disrupted in VPs of Mkx-null mice. Conclusions: These results suggest that Mkx is an important regulator of the differentiation of VPs and pulleys, as well as of tendon differentiation.
AB - Background: Mohawk (Mkx) is a homeodomain-containing transcription factor that is expressed in various mesoderm-derived tissues, particularly in developing tendons. In this study, we investigate the exact expression pattern and functions of Mkx in forelimbs. Methods: We analyzed the forelimbs of Mkx knockout mice [from embryonic day (E) 18.5 to postnatal day (P) 28 weeks] by using knocked-in Venus signals, Masson trichrome staining, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results: We detected Venus signals in forelimb tendons, pulleys, and volar plates (VPs) in P21 mice. In-depth histological analysis showed that compared to the wild-type mice, the Mkx knockout mice showed significant hypoplasia in the flexor digitorum profundus tendons from E18.5. The VPs and pulleys appeared normal until P0; however, by P14, they became increasingly thicker in Mkx-null mice compared to wild-type mice. The fiber alignment was particularly disrupted in VPs of Mkx-null mice. Conclusions: These results suggest that Mkx is an important regulator of the differentiation of VPs and pulleys, as well as of tendon differentiation.
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U2 - 10.1007/s00776-013-0485-z
DO - 10.1007/s00776-013-0485-z
M3 - Article
C2 - 24166359
AN - SCOPUS:84898788394
SN - 0949-2658
VL - 19
SP - 172
EP - 180
JO - Journal of Orthopaedic Science
JF - Journal of Orthopaedic Science
IS - 1
ER -