Impairment of Chondrogenesis and Microfibrillar Network in Adamtsl2 Deficiency

Mutations in the a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif–like 2 (ADAMTSL2) gene are responsible for the autosomal recessive form of geleophysic dysplasia, which is characterized by short stature, short extremities, and skeletal abnormalities. However, the exact function of ADAMTSL2 is unknown. To elucidate the role of this protein in skeletal development, we generated complementary knockout (KO) mouse models with either total or chondrocyte Adamtsl2 deficiency. We observed that the Adamtsl2 KO mice displayed skeletal abnormalities reminiscent of the human phenotype. Adamtsl2 deletion affected the growth plate formation with abnormal differentiation and proliferation of chondrocytes. In addition, a TGF‐β signaling impairment in limbs lacking Adamtsl2 was demonstrated. Further investigations revealed that Adamtsl2 KO chondrocytes failed to establish a microfibrillar network composed by fibrillin1 and latent TGF‐β binding protein 1 fibrils. Chondrocyte Adamtsl2 KO mice also exhibited dwarfism. These studies uncover the function of Adamtsl2 in the maintenance of the growth plate ECM by modulating the microfibrillar network.—Delhon, L., Mahaut, C., Goudin, N., Gaudas, E., Piquand, K., Le Goff, W., Cormier‐Daire, V., Le Goff, C. Impairment of chondrogenesis and microfibrillar network in Adamtsl2 deficiency. FASEB J. 33, 2707–2718 (2019). www.fasebj.org