Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 6, 2025
08:01
Stimulation of Notch Signaling in Mouse Osteoclast Precursors
Published on: February 28, 2017
8.0K
Inhibiting Hh Signaling in Gli1+ Osteogenic Progenitors Alleviates TMJOA
1Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Journal of Dental Research
|January 20, 2022
Summary
Gli1+ cells in jawbone subchondral bone are osteogenic progenitors. Targeting Hedgehog signaling in these cells treats temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) by improving bone and cartilage health.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Developmental Biology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) affects adolescents, potentially causing dento-maxillofacial deformities.
- Current TMJOA treatments are limited by a poor understanding of degenerative mechanisms and ineffective bone/cartilage restoration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the role of Gli1+ cells in mandibular condyle homeostasis and TMJOA pathogenesis.
- To investigate the potential of targeting Hedgehog (Hh) signaling in Gli1+ cells for TMJOA treatment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a TMJOA mouse model to study Gli1+ cell behavior and subchondral bone remodeling.
- Employed selective pharmacological and genetic inhibition of Hh signaling in Gli1+ osteogenic progenitors.
Main Results:
- Gli1+ cells identified as key osteogenic progenitors in the mandibular condyle.
- In TMJOA models, Gli1+ cell over-expansion and aberrant differentiation drive abnormal subchondral bone remodeling via Hh signaling.
- Inhibition of Hh signaling in Gli1+ cells improved bone microstructure, reduced inflammation, and protected articular cartilage.
Conclusions:
- Gli1+ osteogenic progenitors play a critical role in TMJOA development through Hh signaling.
- Targeting Hh signaling in Gli1+ cells offers a promising therapeutic strategy for TMJOA by restoring bone homeostasis and preventing cartilage degeneration.
Keywords:
cell differentiationcell signalingcraniofacial biology/geneticsdevelopmental biologystem cell(s)temporomandibular disorders (TMD)More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:33Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
7.7K
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...
7.7K
01:16TGF - β Signaling Pathway
7.9K
The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors...
7.9K
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
3.3K
Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during...
3.3K