Disruption of the fibroblast growth factor-2 gene results in decreased bone mass and bone formation.
Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), an important modulator of cartilage and bone growth and differentiation, is expressed and regulated in osteoblastic cells. To investigate the role of FGF-2 in bone, we examined mice with a disruption of the Fgf2 gene. Measurement of trabecular bone architecture of the femoral metaphysis of Fgf2(+/+) and Fgf2(-/-) adult mice by micro-CT revealed that the platelike trabecular structures were markedly reduced and many of the connecting rods of trabecular bone were lost in the Fgf2(-/-) mice. Dynamic histomorphometry confirmed a significant decrease in trabecular bone volume, mineral apposition, and bone formation rates. In addition, there was a profound decreased mineralization of bone marrow stromal cultures from Fgf2(-/-) mice. This study provides strong evidence that FGF-2 helps determine bone mass as well as bone formation.
Montero
A
A
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA.
Okada
Y
Y
Tomita
M
M
Ito
M
M
Tsurukami
H
H
Nakamura
T
T
Doetschman
T
T
Coffin
J D
JD
Hurley
M M
MM
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005269:Femur; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012886:Skull / Q000166:cytology; D013977:Tibia
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase