Activation of CGRP receptor-mediated signaling promotes tendon-bone healing

Sci Adv. 2024 Mar 8;10(10):eadg7380. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adg7380. Epub 2024 Mar 8.

Abstract

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), an osteopromotive neurotransmitter with a short half-life, shows increase while calcitonin receptor-like (CALCRL) level is decreased at the early stage in bone fractures. Therefore, the activation of CALCRL-mediated signaling may be more critical to promote the tendon-bone healing. We found CGRP enhanced osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs through PKA/CREB/JUNB pathway, contributing to improved sonic hedgehog (SHH) expression, which was verified at the tendon-bone interface (TBI) in the mice with Calcrl overexpression. The osteoblast-derived SHH and slit guidance ligand 3 were reported to favor nerve regeneration and type H (CD31hiEMCNhi) vessel formation, respectively. Encouragingly, the activation or inactivation of CALCRL-mediated signaling significantly increased or decreased intensity of type H vessel and nerve fiber at the TBI, respectively. Simultaneously, improved gait characteristics and biomechanical performance were observed in the Calcrl overexpression group. Together, the gene therapy targeting CGRP receptor may be a therapeutic strategy in sports medicine.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide* / genetics
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide* / metabolism
  • Hedgehog Proteins / genetics
  • Mice
  • Osteogenesis
  • Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide* / genetics
  • Tendons / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
  • Hedgehog Proteins