Endochondral ossification in vitro is influenced by mechanical bending.

Bone development is influenced by the local mechanical environment. Experimental evidence suggests that altered loading can change cell proliferation and differentiation in chondro- and osteogenesis during endochondral ossification. This study investigated the effects of three-point bending of murine fetal metatarsal bone anlagen in vitro on cartilage differentiation, matrix mineralization and bone collar formation.

Ror2 knockout mouse as a model for the developmental pathology of autosomal recessive Robinow syndrome.

Robinow syndrome (RS) is a human dwarfism syndrome characterized by mesomelic limb shortening, vertebral and craniofacial malformations and small external genitals. We have analyzed Ror2(-/-) mice as a model for the developmental pathology of RS. Our results demonstrate that vertebral malformations in Ror2(-/-) mice are due to reductions in the presomitic mesoderm and defects in somitogenesis.