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Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Visualization and Quantification of Mesenchymal Cell Adipogenic Differentiation Potential with a Lineage Specific Marker
Published on: March 31, 2018
Signaling pathways regulating the specification and differentiation of the osteoblast lineage
Hironori Hojo1,2, Shinsuke Ohba2,3, Ung-Il Chung2,3
1Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, 1425 San Pablo St, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
Abstract:
Tissue engineering is an approach to the regeneration of tissues that uses a combination of cell sources, signaling factors and scaffolds. Among these three components, signaling factors for bone regeneration have not yet been established, and it is necessary to better understand osteoblast progenitors as a target cells. Several lines of evidence have revealed that, during bone formation, mesenchymal cells are specified and differentiate into osteoblasts through several stages of precursors. The osteoblast lineage is defined by the expression of stage-specific transcription factors. The specification and differentiation are organized by a variety of signaling pathways including hedgehog (Hh), Wnt, Notch, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ). In this review we integrate the known functions of these signaling pathways and discuss future tasks to gain a better understanding of the signaling network in osteogenesis for tissue engineering.
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