Enthesis fibrocartilage cells originate from a population of Hedgehog-responsive cells modulated by the loading environment.

ABSTRACT: Tendon attaches to bone across a specialized tissue called the enthesis. This tissue modulates the transfer of muscle forces between two materials, i.e. tendon and bone, with vastly different mechanical properties. The enthesis for many tendons consists of a mineralized graded fibrocartilage that develops postnatally, concurrent with epiphyseal mineralization. Although it is well described that the mineralization and development of functional maturity requires muscle loading, the biological factors that modulate enthesis development are poorly understood. By genetically demarcating cells expressing Gli1 in response to Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, we discovered a unique population of Hh-responsive cells in the developing murine enthesis that were distinct from tendon fibroblasts and epiphyseal

SUBMITTER: Schwartz AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4299149 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature