Aebp1 loss in osteoprogenitors leads to skeletal defects resembling Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome by diminishing Wnt/β-catenin signaling

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Abstract

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Classic-Like, 2 (clEDS2) is a rare genetic disorder caused by biallelic mutations in the AEBP1 gene, which encodes Aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein (ACLP). Patients with clEDS2 exhibit hallmark features such as loose connective tissues, osteoporosis, and scoliosis. Despite its clinical significance, the molecular mechanisms underlying AEBP1 mutations in skeletal development remain poorly understood, and effective therapeutic strategies are currently unavailable. Here, using OsxCre conditional knockout mice, we show that Aebp1 deletion in osteoprogenitors reduces body size and bone mass, recapitulating key skeletal features reported in clEDS2. In primary osteoblasts, both genetic deletion and siRNA-mediated knockdown of Aebp1 impair osteoblast differentiation. Mechanistically, Aebp1 loss attenuates Wnt/β-catenin signaling in bone. Restoration of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by injecting BIO, a small molecule inhibitor of GSK3, substantially rescued bone mass reduction in Aebp1 knockout mice. These findings support a model in which Aebp1 sustains baseline Wnt/β-catenin tone in osteoblast-lineage cells and suggest that Wnt-targeted approaches may help mitigate clEDS2-related skeletal defects.

Authors

Shuhao Feng, Zihang Feng, Zhonghao Deng, Yiran Wei, Ru Lian, Yangchen Jin, Shiqi Zhao, Yu Jin, Zhongmin Zhang, Liang Zhao