NGF-TrkA signaling dictates neural ingrowth and aberrant osteochondral differentiation after soft tissue trauma.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Pain is a central feature of soft tissue trauma, which under certain contexts, results in aberrant osteochondral differentiation of tissue-specific stem cells. Here, the role of sensory nerve fibers in this abnormal cell fate decision is investigated using a severe extremity injury model in mice. Soft tissue trauma results in NGF (Nerve growth factor) expression, particularly within perivascular cell types. Consequently, NGF-responsive axonal invasion occurs which precedes osteocartilaginous differentiation. Surgical denervation impedes axonal ingrowth, with significant delays in cartilage and bone formation. Likewise, either deletion of Ngf or two complementary methods to inhibit its receptor TrkA (Tropomyosin receptor kinase A) lead to similar delays in axonal invasion and osteochondral differentiation. Mechanistically, single-cell sequencing suggests a shift from TGFβ to FGF signaling activation among pre-chondrogenic cells after denervation. Finally, analysis of human pathologic specimens and databases confirms the relevance of NGF-TrkA signaling in human disease. In sum, NGF-mediated TrkA-expressing axonal ingrowth drives abnormal osteochondral differentiation after soft tissue trauma. NGF-TrkA signaling inhibition may have dual therapeutic use in soft tissue trauma, both as an analgesic and negative regulator of aberrant stem cell differentiation.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Lee, S; Hwang, C; Marini, S; Tower, RJ; Qin, Q; Negri, S; Pagani, CA; Sun, Y; Stepien, DM; Sorkin, M; Kubiak, CA; Visser, ND; Meyers, CA; Wang, Y; Rasheed, HA; Xu, J; Miller, S; Huber, AK; Minichiello, L; Cederna, PS; Kemp, SWP; Clemens, TL; James, AW; Levi, B
Published Date
- August 16, 2021
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 12 / 1
Start / End Page
- 4939 -
PubMed ID
- 34400627
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC8368242
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 2041-1723
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1038/s41467-021-25143-z
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- England