Negative feedback between PTH1R and IGF1 through the Hedgehog pathway in mediating craniofacial bone remodeling

Regeneration of orofacial bone defects caused by inflammation-related diseases or trauma remains an unmet challenge. Parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R) signaling is a key mediator of bone remodeling whereas the regulatory mechanisms of PTH1R signaling in oral bone under homeostatic or inflammatory conditions have not been demonstrated by direct genetic evidence. Here, we observed that deletion of PTH1R in Gli1+ progenitors led to increased osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis. Single-cell and bulk RNA-Seq analysis revealed that PTH1R suppressed the osteogenic potential of Gli1+ progenitors during inflammation. Moreover, we identified upregulated IGF1 expression upon PTH1R deletion. Dual deletion of IGF1 and PTH1R ameliorated the bone-remodeling phenotypes in PTH1R-deficient mice. Furthermore, in vivo evidence revealed an inverse relationship between PTH1R and Hedgehog signaling, which was responsible for the upregulated IGF1 production. Our work underscored the negative feedback between PTH1R and IGF1 in craniofacial bone turnover and revealed mechanisms modulating orofacial bone remodeling.