Activation of hedgehog signaling in mesenchymal stem cells induces cartilage and bone tumor formation via Wnt/β-Catenin

Abstract

Indian Hedgehog (IHH) signaling, a key regulator of skeletal development, is highly activated in cartilage and bone tumors. Yet deletion of <i>Ptch1</i>, encoding an inhibitor of IHH receptor Smoothened (SMO), in chondrocyte or osteoblasts does not cause tumorigenesis. Here, we show that <i>Ptch1</i> deletion in mice Prrx1⁺mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) promotes MSC proliferation and osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation but inhibits adipogenic differentiation. Moreover, <i>Ptch1</i> deletion led to development of osteoarthritis-like phenotypes, exostoses, enchondroma, and osteosarcoma in Smo-Gli1/2-dependent manners. The cartilage and bone tumors are originated from Prrx1⁺ lineage cells and express low levels of osteoblast and chondrocyte markers, respectively. Mechanistically, <i>Ptch1</i> deletion increases the expression of Wnt5a/6 and leads to enhanced β-Catenin activation. Inhibiting Wnt/β-Catenin pathway suppresses development of skeletal anomalies including enchondroma and osteosarcoma. These findings suggest that cartilage/bone tumors arise from their early progenitor cells and identify the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway as a pharmacological target for cartilage/bone neoplasms.