Spatial and temporal expression patterns of fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 during tibial fracture healing in adult mice

Objective To clarify the spatial and temporal expression patterns of fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR2) during fracture healing in adult mice. Methods Models of instable tibial fracture of mice were adopted in the experiment. Expressions of FGFR2 in osteoblasts and chondrocytes of callus were detected at days 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21 after fracture by means of X-ray, hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, in situ hybridization assay of FGFR2, osteocalcin (OC), collagen type il (Col I1), and collagen type X (Col X) . Results On days 3 to 5 after fracture, FGFR2 and OC, a marker for mature osteoblasts, were expressed simultaneously in cells underlying periosteum at the fracture site. On days 7 to 14 after fracture, FGFR2 and Col X were simultaneously expressed in pre-bypertrophie chondroeytes and hypertrophic chondrocytes at the fracture site. Conclusion FGFR2 may be involved in fracture healing as one of the potential signaling molecules during fracture healing. Key words: Receptors, fibroblast growth factor;  Fracture;  In situ hybridization