Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 10, 2026

Software-Assisted Quantitative Measurement of Osteoarthritic Subchondral Bone Thickness
08:52

Software-Assisted Quantitative Measurement of Osteoarthritic Subchondral Bone Thickness

Published on: March 18, 2022

3.4K

Integrated analysis identifies conserved transcription factors TCF12, E2F1, and TEAD4 with diagnostic and therapeutic

Jingyang Cheng1, Rulong Cai1,2, Wei Lu3

  • 1Department of Joint Surgery, Center for Orthopedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

Genes & Genomics
|November 26, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study identifies three key transcription factors (TCF12, E2F1, TEAD4) involved in osteoarthritis (OA) subchondral bone remodeling. These factors show conserved expression across species and could serve as novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for OA.

Area of Science:

  • Genomics and Molecular Biology
  • Orthopedics and Musculoskeletal Research
  • Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Background:

  • Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex joint disease affecting both cartilage and subchondral bone.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms governing subchondral bone changes in OA remain largely undefined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To pinpoint critical molecular targets and transcription factors (TFs) within subchondral bone that influence OA progression.
  • To evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of identified OA-related molecular targets.

Main Methods:

  • RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from human OA patients and rat OA models were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs).
  • Functional enrichment analyses (GSEA, GO, KEGG) and iRegulon analysis were employed to identify conserved TFs and their associated biological functions.
  • Single-cell RNA sequencing (sc-RNA seq) and experimental validation (immunofluorescence, qPCR) were used to determine TF expression and cell-type specificity.

Main Results:

  • 77 common DEGs were identified in human and rat OA samples, many linked to bone development and remodeling.
  • Three conserved TFs—TCF12, E2F1, and TEAD4—were identified as key regulators in both species.
  • TCF12 was upregulated, while E2F1 and TEAD4 were downregulated in OA subchondral bone, with expression primarily in bone-related cells.

Conclusions:

  • TCF12, E2F1, and TEAD4 are highlighted as crucial regulators in OA subchondral bone remodeling.
  • The conserved expression patterns and correlation with OA progression suggest these TFs are promising diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for OA intervention.
Keywords:
E2F1OsteoarthritisSubchondral boneTCF12TEAD4

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