Effects of SHOX2 over-expression on BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of mouse mesenchymal stem cell line C3H10T1/2

Objective To investigate the effects of short stature homeobox 2(SHOX2) on bone morphogenetic protein 9(BMP9)-induced osteogenic differentiation of mouse mesenchymal stem cell line C3H10T1/2. Methods After construction of SHOX2 recombinant adenoviruse (Ad-SHOX2), normal control(NC) group, Ad-SHOX2 group, BMP9 group, as well as BMP9+Ad-SHOX2 group were set up. Early osteogenic ability was evaluated with alkaline phosphatase(ALP); Late osteogenic ability was detected by Ca2+ deposition; Cell proliferation was observed using microscope; Meanwhile, Western blot was employed to confirm protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2), T-ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2. Results Ad-SHOX2 was constructed successfully. Ad-SHOX2 and BMP9 groups produced higher ALP activity, more Ca2+ accumula-tion, and higher RUNX2 expression in comparison with NC group (P＜0.05). Compared with Ad-SHOX2 and BMP9 groups, ALP activity in BMP9+Ad-SHOX2 group was enhanced (P＜0.05). Ad-SHOX2(low