Mesenchymal progenitor-derived proteoglycan 4 regulates the transdifferentiation of chondrocytes into osteoblasts during fracture healing.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4), also known as lubricin, is essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis and acts as a lubricant that protects joint surfaces from wear and tear. Our previous studies have demonstrated that PRG4 plays multiple roles in wound healing in mice and pigs. Specifically, PRG4 derived from Hic1+ mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis in the dura mater near the spinal cord, and in the skin it contributes to ear wound healing in mice. Additionally, mice lacking PRG4 exhibit abnormal bone structure and function. However, the role of PRG4 in fracture healing remains unclear.

Methods

To investigate the role of PRG4 in fracture repair, we generated mice with a conditional deletion of Prg4 in the Hic1+ lineage. T

SUBMITTER: Ninkovic N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12449200 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature