Wnt11 promotes osteoblast maturation and mineralization through R-spondin 2

J Biol Chem. 2009 May 22;284(21):14117-25. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M808337200. Epub 2009 Feb 12.

Abstract

Wnt11 signals through both canonical (beta-catenin) and non-canonical pathways and is up-regulated during osteoblast differentiation and fracture healing. In these studies, we evaluated the role of Wnt11 during osteoblastogenesis. Wnt11 overexpression in MC3T3E1 pre-osteoblasts increases beta-catenin accumulation and promotes bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-induced expression of alkaline phosphatase and mineralization. Wnt11 dramatically increases expression of the osteoblast-associated genes Dmp1 (dentin matrix protein 1), Phex (phosphate-regulating endopeptidase homolog), and Bsp (bone sialoprotein). Wnt11 also increases expression of Rspo2 (R-spondin 2), a secreted factor known to enhance Wnt signaling. Overexpression of Rspo2 is sufficient for increasing Dmp1, Phex, and Bsp expression and promotes bone morphogenetic protein-induced mineralization. Knockdown of Rspo2 abrogates Wnt11-mediated osteoblast maturation. Antagonism of T-cell factor (Tcf)/beta-catenin signaling with dominant negative Tcf blocks Wnt11-mediated expression of Dmp1, Phex, and Rspo2 and decreases mineralization. However, dominant negative Tcf fails to block the osteogenic effects of Rspo2 overexpression. These studies show that Wnt11 signals through beta-catenin, activating Rspo2 expression, which is then required for Wnt11-mediated osteoblast maturation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / pharmacology
  • Calcification, Physiologic* / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation* / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Osteoblasts / cytology*
  • Osteoblasts / drug effects
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism*
  • Protein Stability / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • TCF Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Thrombospondins / metabolism*
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism*
  • beta Catenin / metabolism

Substances

  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2
  • RSPO2 protein, mouse
  • TCF Transcription Factors
  • Thrombospondins
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Wnt11 protein, mouse
  • beta Catenin