Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41796360›Full record

ArticleStem cell research & therapy2026

WDR63 enhances the chondrogenic differentiation and regenerative potential of stem cell from apical papilla by facilitating vimentin function to promote mitochondrial fission.

Jiawei Zhou, Yangyang Cao, Ziyan Sun, Yishu Huang, Mengyuan Zhu, Zhipeng Fan

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Article in Stem cell research & therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Jiawei ZhouBeijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China.
Yangyang CaoBeijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China.
Ziyan SunBeijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China.
Yishu HuangBeijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China.
Mengyuan ZhuBeijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China. zhumydentist0515@163.com.
Zhipeng FanBeijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China. zpfan@ccmu.edu.cn.

Funding

CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences 2019-I2M-5-031 to Z.P.F.grants from Innovation Research Team Project of Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University NO. CXTD202204 to Z.P. F.National Key Research and Development Program 2022YFA1104401Young Scientist Program of Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University NO. 23-09-02
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundResearch on cartilage repair in the knee joint is crucial for treating knee arthritis or injuries. The application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for cartilage tissue regeneration represents a promising therapeutic approach. Among the critical aspects in cartilage formation, the enhancement of MSC chondrogenic differentiation stands as a pivotal challenge. WDR63 is a cytoplasmic dynein that plays a significant role in promoting stem cell differentiation and is closely associated with the cytoskeleton and energy metabolism processes. In the current study, our objective is to elucidate the phenotypic manifestations and mechanisms of WDR63 in relation to its chondrogenic differentiation function in MSCs.

methodsStem cells from apical papilla (SCAP) were used. The Alcian Blue staining technique, pellet culture system, and cell transplantation in rabbit knee cartilage defects were employed to assess the chondrogenic differentiation capabilities of MSCs. Western blot and real-time RT-PCR were utilized to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved.

resultsIn vitro, WDR63 overexpression in SCAPs enhanced chondrogenic differentiation, as evidenced by upregulating collagen type II (COL2), collagen type V (COL5), and sex-determining region Y box protein 9 (SOX9), and robust pellet formation, whereas WDR63 knockdown produced opposite effects. In vivo, implantation of WDR63-overexpressing SCAP promoted cartilage repair in a rabbit osteochondral defect model, showing improved hyaline cartilage matrix deposition, higher COL2 expression, reduced collagen type X(COLX) expression, and increased collagen type Ι (COL1) expression in the subchondral bone. Mechanistically, WDR63 interacted and co-localized with vimentin (VIM), and its overexpression enhanced VIM expression and WDR63-VIM binding. WDR63 upregulates DRP1 expression, and rescues the Mdi-suppressed mitochondrial fission.

conclusionsWDR63 may promote chondrogenic differentiation of SCAPs by interacting with VIM and enhancing its expression, potentially through facilitating mitochondrial fission.

Indexed as

Cell DifferentiationChondrogenesisDental PapillaMesenchymal Stem CellsMitochondrial DynamicsVimentinAnimalsCells, CulturedGelsolinHumansRabbitsRegenerationGelsolinscinderinVimentinCartilage restoreChondrogenic differentiationMitochondrial fissionSCAPVIM

Identifiers

PMID41796360
PMCPMC13081439

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.