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FGFR3 is a positive regulator of osteoblast expansion and differentiation during zebrafish skull vault development

ABSTRACT: In order to study FGFR3’s role in cranial vault development, we generated the first fgfr3 loss-of-function zebrafish (fgfr3lof1/lof1). The mutant fish exhibited major changes in the craniofacial skeleton, with a lack of sutures, abnormal frontal and parietal bones, and the presence of ectopic bones. In order to define cellular and molecular processes responsible for this phenotype, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing of cranial vault cells from fgfr3lof1/lof1 and fgfr3+/+ zebrafish. Our data allow us to define transcriptomic profile of each osteogenic subpopulation involved in cranial vault formation and we revealed a defect in osteoblast differentiation associated with changes in the extracellular matrix. These findings demonstrate that fgfr3 is a positive regulator of osteogenesis and we conclude that changes in the extracellular matrix within growing bone impair cell-cell communication, mineralization, and new osteoblast recruitment.

ORGANISM(S): Danio rerio

PROVIDER: GSE144944 | GEO | 2020/05/18

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Endochondral ossification is the process by which the appendicular skeleton, facial bones, vertebrae and medial clavicles are formed and relies on the tight control of chondrocyte maturation. Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)3 plays a role in bone development and maintenance and belongs to a family of proteins which differ in their ligand affinities and tissue distribution. Activating mutations of the FGFR3 gene lead to craniosynostosis and multiple types of skeletal dysplasia with varying degrees of severity: thanatophoric dysplasia (TD), achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia. Despite progress in the characterization of FGFR3-mediated regulation of cartilage development, many aspects remain unclear. The aim and the novelty of our study was to examine whole gene expression differences occurring in primary human chondrocytes isolated from normal cartilage or pathological cartilage from TD-affected fetuses, using Affymetrix technology. The phenotype of the primary cells was confirmed by the high expression of chondrocytic markers. Altered expression of genes associated with many cellular processes was observed, including cell growth and proliferation, cell cycle, cell adhesion, cell motility, metabolic pathways, signal transduction, cell cycle process and cell signaling. Most of the cell cycle process genes were down-regulated and consisted of genes involved in cell cycle progression, DNA biosynthesis, spindle dynamics and cytokinesis. About eight percent of all modulated genes were found to impact extracellular matrix (ECM) structure and turnover, especially glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and proteoglycan biosynthesis and sulfation. Altogether, the gene expression analyses provide new insight into the consequences of FGFR3 mutations in cell cycle regulation, onset of pre-hypertrophic differentiation and concomitant metabolism changes. Moreover, impaired motility and ECM properties may also provide clues about growth plate disorganization. These results also suggest that many signaling pathways may be directly or indirectly altered by FGFR3 and confirm the crucial role of FGFR3 in the control of growth plate development.

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FGFR3 is a positive regulator of osteoblast expansion and differentiation during zebrafish skull vault development

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