In diabetic LDLR-/- mice, an ectopic BMP2-Msx2 gene regulatory program is upregulated in association with vascular calcification. We verified the procalcific actions of aortic Msx2 expression in vivo. CMV-Msx2 transgenic (CMV-Msx2Tg(+)) mice expressed 3-fold higher levels of aortic Msx2 than nontransgenic littermates. On high-fat diets, CMV-Msx2Tg(+) mice exhibited marked cardiovascular calcifi...

Several studies indicated that a homeobox gene, Msx2, is implicated in regulation of skeletal development by controlling enchondral ossification as well as membranous ossification. However, the molecular basis by which Msx2 conducts chondrogenesis is currently unclear. In this study, we examined the role of Msx2 in chondrocyte differentiation using mouse primary chondrocytes and embryonic metat...

When fed high-fat diets, male LDLR(-/-) mice develop obesity, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and arteriosclerotic calcification. An osteogenic Msx-Wnt regulatory program is concomitantly upregulated in the vasculature. To better understand the mechanisms of diabetic arteriosclerosis, we generated SM22-Cre;Msx1(fl/fl);Msx2(fl/fl);LDLR(-/-) mice, assessing the impact of Msx1+Msx2 gene deletion in...

Normal implantation depends on appropriate trophoblast growth and invasion. Inadequate trophoblast invasion results in pregnancy-related disorders, such as early miscarriage and pre-eclampsia, which are dangerous to both the mother and fetus. Msh Homeobox 2 (MSX2), a member of the MSX family of homeobox proteins, plays a significant role in the proliferation and differentiation of various cells...

Craniosynostosis, Boston type is an autosomal dominant disorder that results in the premature fusion of calvarial bones and ensuing abnormalities in skull shape. We showed previously that this disorder is tightly linked to the Msx2 homeobox gene on the long arm of chromosome 5, and that affected individuals bear a mutated copy of Msx2. In addition, transgenic mice in which either mutant or wild...

OBJECTIVE Vascular calcification is closely correlated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Here, we demonstrate the role of Notch signaling in osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). METHODS AND RESULTS The Msx2 gene, a key regulator of osteogenesis, was highly induced by coculture with Notch ligand-expressing cells or overexpression of N...

Hierarchal transcriptional regulatory networks function to control the correct spatiotemporal patterning of the mammalian skeletal system. One such factor, the forkhead box transcription factor FOXC1 is necessary for the correct formation of the axial and craniofacial skeleton. Previous studies have demonstrated that the frontal and parietal bones of the skull fail to develop in mice deficient ...

PC-1 is an enzymatic generator of pyrophosphate and a critical regulator of tissue mineralization. We previously showed that fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) specifically induces PC-1 expression in calvarial pre-osteoblasts and that this occurs via a transcriptional mechanism involving Runx2. Because aberrant FGF signaling and Msx2 activity result in similar craniofacial skeletal defects and b...

Protein kinase C (PKC) signaling regulates osteoblast differentiation, but little is known about its downstream effectors. We examined the effect of modulating PKC activity on osteogenic transcription factors and found that the protein level of Msx2 is affected. Msx2 is induced by osteogenic signals such as BMPs and it plays critical roles in bone formation and osteoblast differentiation. Here,...