Background Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is a cytoplasmic transcription factor that participates in various biologic processes. Loss of Stat3 causes hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome, presenting with skeletal disorders including osteoporosis, recurrent fractures, scoliosis, and craniosynostosis. The objective of this study is to explore the effect and mechanism of Stat3 on osteogenesis of mesenchymal progenitors. Methods Stat3 was conditionally knockout (CKO) in mesenchymal progenitors by crossing the pair-related homeobox gene 1-cre (Prx1-Cre) with Stat3-floxed strain mice. Whole-mount-skeletal staining, histology, and micro-CT were used to assess the differences between Stat3 CKO and control mice. Further, in vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the osteogenesis potential of primary isolated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from both control and Stat3 CKO mice. After osteogenic induction for 14d, alizarin red staining was used to show the calcium deposit, while the western blotting was applied to detect the expression of osteogenic markers. Results Compared with the control, Stat3 CKO mice were present with shortened limbs, multiple fractures of long bone, and open calvarial fontanels. The abnormal growth plate structure and reduced collagen fiber were found in Stat3 CKO limbs. According to micro-CT analysis, the reduced cortical bone thickness and bone volume were found on Stat3 CKO mice. The in vitro osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was inhibited in Stat3 CKO samples. After osteogenic induction for 14d, the significantly diminished calcium deposits were found in Stat3 CKO BMSCs. The decreased expression of osteogenic markers (OPN and COL1A1) was observed in Stat3 CKO BMSCs, compared with the control. Conclusions Stat3 played a critical role in bone development and osteogenesis. Loss of Stat3 impaired the osteogenesis of mesenchymal progenitors in vivo and in vitro.

Background Mutations in the signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) gene result in hyper-IgE syndrome(HIES), a rare immunodeficiency that causes abnormalities in immune system, bones and teeth. However, the role of Stat3 in development of dental hard tissues was yet to investigate. Methods In this study, a transgenic mouse of conditional knockout of Stat3 in dental mesenchymal cells (Osx-Cre; Stat3fl/fl, Stat3 CKO) was made. The differences of postnatal tooth development between control and Stat3 CKO mice were compared by histology, µCT and scanning electron microscopy. Result Compared with the control, Stat3 CKO mice were presented with remarkable abnormal tooth phenotypes characterized by short root and thin dentin in molars and incisors. The enamel defects were also found on mandibular incisors. showed that Ki67-positive cells significantly decreased in dental mesenchymal of Stat3 CKO mice. In addition, β-catenin signaling was reduced in Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS) and odontoblasts of Stat3 CKO mice. Conclusions Our results suggested that Stat3 played an important role in dental hard tissues development, and Stat3 may regulate dentin and tooth root development through the β-catenin signaling pathway.

IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the effect of Stat3 on the osteoblast‐mediated bone healing in the inflammatory lesion.MethodsThe conditional knockout of Stat3 in osteoblasts (Stat3 CKO) was generated via the Cre‐loxP recombination system using Osterix‐Cre transgenic mice. The calvarial bone inflammatory lesions were established on both Stat3 CKO and wild‐type mice, then harvested to assess the bone healing. In response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, osteoblasts from Stat3 CKO and wild‐type mice were subjected to examine the formation of calcium deposits, the expression of osteogenic markers (i.e., Runx2, OPN, COL1A1), and osteoclast‐related markers (i.e., RANKL, OPG). The EdU and transwell assays were performed to assess the proliferation and migration of the cells.ResultsA decrease in bone mass and an increase in osteolysis were found in the inflammatory lesions on Stat3 CKO mice when compared with the control. More osteoclastic‐like cells and an increased expression of RANKL were observed in Stat3 CKO mice. Both mRNA and protein expressions of Stat3 and osteogenic markers in the lesions were significantly decreased in Stat3 CKO mice. After co‐cultured with osteogenic medium, the Stat3‐deficient osteoblasts were found with a significant decrease in calcium deposits and the expression of osteogenic markers, and with a significant increased expression of RANKL. The impaired ossification of Stat3‐deficient osteoblasts was even more pronounced with the presence of lipopolysaccharides in vitro. The most decrease in cell proliferation and migration was found in Stat3‐deficient osteoblasts in response to LPS.ConclusionsLoss of Stat3 in osteoblasts impaired bone healing in an inflammatory microenvironment.