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A Novel Proteoglycan-4 Isoform Drives Skeletal Regeneration

Tantawy, M.; Khajuria, D.; Norbury, C. C.; Kamal, F.; Elbarbary, R. A.

2025-09-18 molecular biology
10.1101/2025.09.15.676417 bioRxiv
Show abstract

Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) is an extracellular matrix protein best known for its lubricating role in articular cartilage. Using a murine model of tibial fracture, we performed RNA-seq across multiple post-fracture timepoints and observed high Prg4 expression during the first week of healing, coinciding with the initial inflammatory phase. Single-cell RNA-seq of the fracture callus localized Prg4 expression to a stem cell population with key roles in repair. Analysis of alternative splicing in callus RNA identified a unique Prg4 isoform lacking three coding exons (hereafter termed Prg4-S). In vivo knockdown of Prg4-S using locally delivered siRNA produced multiple defects that culminated in impaired bone formation. Together, these findings uncover an unanticipated osteogenic role for a unique Prg4 splicing isoform and highlight its potential for translational applications.

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