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The pleiotropic role of MEF2C in bone tissue development and metabolism

XIAO Hao-Jie¹, HUANG Rui-Qi^1,2, LIN Sheng-Jie¹, LI Jin-Yang¹, YI Xue-Jie^1,3, GAO Hai-Ning^1,*

¹Sports Health College of Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang 110102, China；²Institute of Physical Education, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China；³Sports and Health Center, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang 110102, China

Abstract

The development of bone in human body and the maintenance of bone mass in adulthood are regulated by a variety of biological factors. Myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), as one of the many factors regulating bone tissue development and balance, has been shown to play a key role in bone development and metabolism. However, there is limited systematic analysis on the effects of MEF2C on bone tissue. This article reviews the role of MEF2C in bone development and metabolism. During bone development, MEF2C promotes the development of neural crest cells (NC) into craniofacial cartilage and directly promotes cartilage hypertrophy. In terms of bone metabolism, MEF2C exhibits a differentiated regulatory model across different types of osteocytes, demonstrating both promoting and other potential regulatory effects on bone formation, with its stimulating effect on osteoclasts being determined. In view of the complex roles of MEF2C in bone tissue, this paper also discusses its effects on some bone diseases, providing valuable insights for the physiological study of bone tissue and strategies for the prevention of bone diseases.

Key words: MEF2C; cartilage; osteoblasts; osteoclasts; bone diseases

Received: 　　Accepted:

Corresponding author: 高海宁　　E-mail:

DOI: 10.13294/j.aps.2025.0024

Citing This Article：

XIAO Hao-Jie, HUANG Rui-Qi, LIN Sheng-Jie, LI Jin-Yang, YI Xue-Jie, GAO Hai-Ning. The pleiotropic role of MEF2C in bone tissue development and metabolism. Acta Physiol Sin 2025; 77 (2): 374-384 (in Chinese with English abstract).