The HIF-1α/PLOD2 axis integrates extracellular matrix organization and cell metabolism leading to aberrant musculoskeletal repair

Heeseog Kang, Amy L. Strong, Yuxiao Sun, Lei Guo, Conan Juan, Alec C. Bancroft, Ji Hae Choi, Chase A. Pagani, Aysel A. Fernandes, Michael Woodard, Juhoon Lee, Sowmya Ramesh, Aaron W. James, David Hudson, Kevin N. Dalby, Lin Xu, Robert J. Tower, Benjamin Levi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

While hypoxic signaling has been shown to play a role in many cellular processes, its role in metabolism-linked extracellular matrix (ECM) organization and downstream processes of cell fate after musculoskeletal injury remains to be determined. Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a debilitating condition where abnormal bone formation occurs within extra-skeletal tissues. Hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) activation have been shown to promote HO. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which the HIF-1α pathway in mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) contributes to pathologic bone formation remain to be elucidated. Here, we used a proven mouse injury-induced HO model to investigate the role of HIF-1α on aberrant cell fate. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics analyses of the HO site, we found that collagen ECM organization is the most highly up-regulated biological process in MPCs. Zeugopod mesenchymal cell-specific deletion of Hif1α (Hoxa11-CreERT2; Hif1afl/fl) significantly mitigated HO in vivo. ScRNA-seq analysis of these Hoxa11-CreERT2; Hif1afl/fl mice identified the PLOD2/LOX pathway for collagen cross-linking as downstream of the HIF-1α regulation of HO. Importantly, our scRNA-seq data and mechanistic studies further uncovered that glucose metabolism in MPCs is most highly impacted by HIF-1α deletion. From a translational aspect, a pan-LOX inhibitor significantly decreased HO. A newly screened compound revealed that the inhibition of PLOD2 activity in MPCs significantly decreased osteogenic differentiation and glycolytic metabolism. This suggests that the HIF-1α/PLOD2/LOX axis linked to metabolism regulates HO-forming MPC fate. These results suggest that the HIF-1α/PLOD2/LOX pathway represents a promising strategy to mitigate HO formation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number17
JournalBone Research
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Histology
  • Physiology

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