Figure 2.

Osx⁺ Cell-Specific Deletion In Vivo without Altering Osteoclastogenesis

(A and B) Skeletal development in the OsxCre;iDTR mutants compared with control littermates at 6 weeks of age. Three independent experiments; n = 9–15/group. ^∗∗∗p < 0.001.

(C) Histology of femurs from OsxCre;iDTR control and mutant mice. Three independent experiments; n = 9–15/group.

(D and E) Bone histomorphometric measurement on trabecular number, trabecular separation, number of osteoblasts, bone formation rate, serum production of osteocalcin, and type I procollagen production. Three independent experiments; n = 9–15/group. ^∗p < 0.05, ^∗∗p < 0.01. (E) Flow cytometric quantification of Osx⁺ cells in control and mutant groups. Three independent experiments; n = 9–15/group.

(F) Bone sections were stained with osterix-specific antibody overlapped with apoptotic TUNEL staining to confirm targeted cell deletion. Three independent experiments; n = 9–15/group.

(G) Measurement of osteoclast number as indicated by TRAP staining, and osteoclast activity, as indicated by the rate of collagen breakdown in sera. Two independent experiments; n = 22–24/group.

Error bars represent ± SEM.