{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Requirement of Pdgfrα+ cells for calvarial bone repair.
{Author}: Xing X;Li Z;Xu J;Chen AZ;Archer M;Wang Y;Xu M;Wang Z;Zhu M;Qin Q;Thottappillil N;Zhou M;James AW;
{Journal}: Stem Cells Transl Med
{Volume}: 13
{Issue}: 8
{Year}: 2024 Aug 16
{Factor}: 7.655
{DOI}: 10.1093/stcltm/szae041
{Abstract}: Platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) is often considered as a general marker of mesenchymal cells and fibroblasts, but also shows expression in a portion of osteoprogenitor cells. Within the skeleton, Pdgfrα+ mesenchymal cells have been identified in bone marrow and periosteum of long bones, where they play a crucial role in participating in fracture repair. A similar examination of Pdgfrα+ cells in calvarial bone healing has not been examined. Here, we utilize Pdgfrα-CreERTM;mT/mG reporter animals to examine the contribution of Pdgfrα+ mesenchymal cells to calvarial bone repair through histology and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq). Results showed that Pdgfrα+ mesenchymal cells are present in several cell clusters by scRNA-Seq, and by histology a dramatic increase in Pdgfrα+ cells populated the defect site at early timepoints to give rise to healed bone tissue overtime. Notably, diphtheria toxin-mediated ablation of Pdgfrα reporter+ cells resulted in significantly impaired calvarial bone healing. Our findings suggest that Pdgfrα-expressing cells within the calvarial niche play a critical role in the process of calvarial bone repair.