Hox11 expression characterizes developing zeugopod synovial joints and is coupled to postnatal articular cartilage morphogenesis into functional zones in mice.

ABSTRACT: Previous studies on mouse embryo limbs have established that interzone mesenchymal progenitor cells emerging at each prescribed joint site give rise to joint tissues over fetal time. These incipient tissues undergo structural maturation and morphogenesis postnatally, but underlying mechanisms of regulation remain unknown. Hox11 genes dictate overall zeugopod musculoskeletal patterning and skeletal element identities during development. Here we asked where these master regulators are expressed in developing limb joints and whether they are maintained during postnatal zeugopod joint morphogenesis. We found that Hoxa11 was predominantly expressed and restricted to incipient wrist and ankle joints in E13.5 mouse embryos, and became apparent in medial and central regions of knees by E14.5, thou

SUBMITTER: Rux D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8277736 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature