Hox11 expressing regional skeletal stem cells are progenitors for osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes throughout life

Abstract

Prior evidence suggested mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) required for skeletal formation, maintenance, and repair arise postnatally. Here, the authors show that Hoxa11 lineage-marked cells give rise to all skeletal lineages from embryogenesis through adulthood and are upstream progenitors of LepR- and Osx-lineage MSCs