Scholarlink

<p>The postnatal development of secondary sexual characteristics is a highly complex process governed by diverse molecular signals and serves as a key marker of sexual maturity. Deer antlers exemplify such traits, distinguished not only by their unique ability to regenerate annually but also by their initiation in postnatal life. It is well established that the antlerogenic periosteum (AP) is the only tissue responsible for postnatal antler formation. Here, we identify a population of RXFP2-positive mesenchymal stem cells within the AP of both male and female deer that are crucial for antler development, primarily through the activation of canonical Wnt signaling. This process also relies on M2 macrophages recruited via IL-34 secretion. Furthermore, these cells exhibit reduced expression of HOX genes, suggesting a high degree of developmental plasticity. Our findings offer new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the postnatal development of secondary sexual characteristics, using deer antlers serving as a model system.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

RXFP2-positive mesenchymal stem cells in the antlerogenic periosteum contribute to postnatal development of deer antlers

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年4月22日

查看全文
  • Hengxing Ba,
  • Pengfei Hu,
  • Hongming Yuan,
  • Chao Ma,
  • Zhen Wang,
  • Yudong Shang,
  • Qianqian Guo,
  • Datao Wang,
  • Chunyi Li

摘要

The postnatal development of secondary sexual characteristics is a highly complex process governed by diverse molecular signals and serves as a key marker of sexual maturity. Deer antlers exemplify such traits, distinguished not only by their unique ability to regenerate annually but also by their initiation in postnatal life. It is well established that the antlerogenic periosteum (AP) is the only tissue responsible for postnatal antler formation. Here, we identify a population of RXFP2-positive mesenchymal stem cells within the AP of both male and female deer that are crucial for antler development, primarily through the activation of canonical Wnt signaling. This process also relies on M2 macrophages recruited via IL-34 secretion. Furthermore, these cells exhibit reduced expression of HOX genes, suggesting a high degree of developmental plasticity. Our findings offer new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the postnatal development of secondary sexual characteristics, using deer antlers serving as a model system.