Single cell RNA sequencing shows that cells expressing Sox9 postnatally populate most skeletal lineages in mouse bone

J Bone Miner Res. 2025 Jun 3;40(6):799-812. doi: 10.1093/jbmr/zjaf043.

Abstract

In growing bones of mice, multiple cell types contribute to the osteoblast lineage, including growth plate chondrocytes, perichondrial cells and CXCL12-abundant reticular marrow stromal cells. Here we use single-cell RNA sequencing and lineage tracing to show that all these osteoblast precursors, even postnatally, derives from Sox9-expressing progenitors. We also characterize a distinct group of chondrocytes located between the perichondrium and the columns of growth plate chondrocytes that contribute to the osteoblast lineage.

Keywords: biology; bone modeling and remodeling; cells of bone; chondrocyte and cartilage; chondrocyte and cartilage biology; developmental modeling; growth plate; osteoblasts; stromal/stem cells.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone and Bones* / cytology
  • Bone and Bones* / metabolism
  • Cell Lineage* / genetics
  • Chondrocytes / cytology
  • Chondrocytes / metabolism
  • Growth Plate / cytology
  • Growth Plate / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Osteoblasts / cytology
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism
  • SOX9 Transcription Factor* / genetics
  • SOX9 Transcription Factor* / metabolism
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA*
  • Single-Cell Analysis*

Substances

  • SOX9 Transcription Factor
  • Sox9 protein, mouse