Conclusions
Our results reveal that TSK regulates bone elongation and bone mass by modulating growth plate chondrocyte function and consequently, overall body size.
Methods
In the present study, we examined TSK's function during bone growth by comparing skeletal growth of TSK deficient (TSK-/-) mice and wild type (WT) mice. And an in vitro experiment using siRNA transfection of a chondrogenic cell line was performed.
Results
TSK-/- mice exhibited decreased weight and short stature at 3 weeks of age due to decreased longitudinal bone growth coupled with low bone mass. Furthermore, an in vitro experiment using siRNA transfection into a chondrogenic cell line revealed that decreased TSK expression induced down-regulation of key chondrogenic marker gene expression and up-regulation of mid-to-late chondrogenic markers gene expression. Conclusions: Our results reveal that TSK regulates bone elongation and bone mass by modulating growth plate chondrocyte function and consequently, overall body size.