Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 3, 2026
09:16
Analyzing Craniofacial Morphogenesis in Zebrafish Using 4D Confocal Microscopy
Published on: January 30, 2014
11.7K
Hox11 Function Is Required for Region-Specific Fracture Repair
Danielle R Rux1, Jane Y Song2, Kyriel M Pineault1
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Summary
Hox11 genes are crucial for adult bone fracture repair, influencing cartilage formation and bone remodeling. Loss of Hox11 function impairs these processes, highlighting their role in healing.
Area of Science:
- Skeletal Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Fracture repair processes resemble embryonic skeletal development.
- Hox genes are key transcription factors in embryonic skeletal patterning.
- Limited knowledge exists on Hox gene functions in adult bone healing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Hox11 genes in adult zeugopod (radius/ulna, tibia/fibula) fracture repair.
- To determine the expression patterns and functional significance of Hox11 in adult bone healing.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Hoxa11eGFP reporter and loss-of-function Hox11 alleles in mouse models.
- Analyzed fracture repair stages, including chondrocyte differentiation and callus remodeling.
- Examined mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) populations expressing Hox11.
Main Results:
- Hox11 expression was found in specific adult MSCs and expanded post-fracture.
- Loss of Hox11 function led to defective endochondral ossification and impaired callus remodeling.
- Mutant fractures showed chondrocyte differentiation defects and abnormal bone matrix organization.
Conclusions:
- Hox11 genes play multiple essential roles in adult fracture repair.
- These roles include regulating chondrogenesis and bone matrix organization during healing.
- Hox11's involvement underscores the link between developmental and adult regenerative processes.
Keywords:
ENDOCHONDRAL OSSIFICATION-CARTILAGEHOX GENESMESENCHYMAL STROMAL/STEM CELLSMOLECULAR PATHWAYS-DEVELOPMENTSKELETAL INJURY/FRACTURE HEALINGMore Related Videos
07:35Creating Rigidly Stabilized Fractures for Assessing Intramembranous Ossification, Distraction Osteogenesis, or Healing of Critical Sized Defects
Published on: April 11, 2012
18.9K
10:30Sequential In vivo Imaging of Osteogenic Stem/Progenitor Cells During Fracture Repair
Published on: May 23, 2014
11.1K
Related Concept Videos
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
6.0K
Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the...
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the...
6.0K
02:33Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
10.3K
The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
10.3K
01:24Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification
10.3K
Bone formation, or ossification, begins around the sixth to seventh week of embryonic development. Most bones develop from a cartilaginous template through the process of endochondral ossification. Cartilage formation begins when clusters of mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes. These chondrocytes proliferate rapidly and secrete an extracellular matrix that becomes encased in a membrane called the perichondrium. The resulting cartilage model provides a template that resembles the...
10.3K
01:40Bone Remodeling
40.7K
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
40.7K
01:29Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification
12.1K
Intramembranous ossification is one of the two processes involved in the development of bones within an embryo. The flat bones of the face, most of the cranial bones, and the clavicles are formed via this process. During intramembranous ossification, the bones develop directly from sheets of undifferentiated mesenchymal connective tissue.
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into ...
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into ...
12.1K
03:14Notch Signaling Pathway
6.7K
The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not...
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not...
6.7K