FIGURE 4.

Rspo2 enhances osteoblast-associated gene expression independent of β-catenin. MC3T3 control (GFP), control/dnTcf⁺, Rspo2⁺, and Rspo2⁺/dnTcf⁺ were cultured for 9 days in osteogenic media, with or without BMP. The cells were harvested, and Q-RT-PCR was performed as described previously. Statistical analysis was performed as mentioned previously. A, Dmp1; B, Phex; C, Bsp. Values represent fold-change in gene expression relative to non-BMP (No GF)-treated controls, as described previously. *‡ indicates statistically significant increased gene expression in BMP-treated Rspo2⁺ cells relative to BMP-treated control (*) and Rspo2⁺/dnTcf⁺ (‡) groups. # indicates statistically significantly different levels of gene expression in Rspo2⁺/dnTcf⁺ relative to BMP-treated control. n >3, p < 0.01. No GF, no growth factor.