Kindlin-2 deletion in osteoprogenitors causes severe chondrodysplasia and low-turnover osteopenia in mice

Our recent studies demonstrate that the focal adhesion protein Kindlin-2 exerts crucial functions in the mesenchymal stem cells, mature osteoblasts and osteocytes in control of early skeletal development and bone homeostasis in mice. However, whether Kindlin-2 plays a role in osteoprogenitors remains unclear. Mice lacking Kindlin-2 expression in osterix (Osx)-expressing cells (i.e., osteoprogenitors) were generated. Micro-computerized tomography...