Abstract: Four and a half LIM domain 2 (FHL2) is a multifunctional scaffolding protein of well?known function
regulating cell signalling cascades and gene transcription in cancer tissues. However, its function
in embryonic systems is poorly characterized. Here, we show that Fhl2 is involved in the differentiation of connective tissues of developing limb autopod. We show that Fhl2 exhibits spatially restricted and temporally dynamic expression around the tendons of developing digits, interphalangeal joint capsules, and fibrous peridigital tissue. Immunolabelling analysis of the skeletal progenitors identified a predominant, but not exclusive, cytoplasmic distribution of FHL2 being associated with focal adhesions and actin cytoskeleton. In the course of chondrogenic differentiation of cultures of limb skeletal progenitors, the expression of Fhl2 is down?regulated. Furthermore, cultures of skeletal progenitors overexpressing Fhl2 take on a predominant
fibrogenic appearance. Both gain?of?function and loss?of?function experiments in the micromass
culture assays revealed a positive transcriptional influence of Fhl2 in the expression of fibrogenic
markers including Scleraxis, Tenomodulin, Tenascin C, ?ig?h3, and Tgif1. We further show that the
expression of Fhl2 is positively regulated by profibrogenic signals including Tgf?2, all?transretinoic
acid, and canonical Wnt signalling molecules and negatively regulated by prochondrogenic factors of the bone morphogenetic protein family. Expression of Fhl2 is also regulated negatively in immobilized limbs, but this influence appears to be mediated by other connective tissue markers, such as Tgf?s and Scleraxis.
Other publications of the same journal or congress with authors from the University of Cantabria
Authorship: Lorda-Diez C.I., Montero J.A., Sanchez-Fernandez C., Garcia-Porrero J.A., Chimal-Monroy J., Hurle J.M.,
Fuente: Journal of Ttissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 2018, 12(4), 1-11
Publisher: Wiley
Year of publication: 2018
No. of pages: 11
Publication type: Article
DOI: 10.1002/term.2637
ISSN: 1932-6254,1932-7005
Spanish project: BFU2014-54026P
Publication Url: https://doi.org/10.1002/term.2637